The Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Lami Danladi-Ogenyi, has alleged that there is an illegal detention facility operating in Ezza, Ado Local Government Area, under the watch of the council chairman, Sunday Oche.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, Danladi-Ogenyi claimed the cell was being managed by political loyalists of the chairman and had become serious threat to residents of the community.
She noted that her constituents had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director of State Security Services over the matter.
She explained that she had also raised a motion in the state assembly, leading to the setting up of an ad hoc committee to investigate the allegations.
She said, “Worried that if the Chairman, who is supposed to be the Chief Security Officer of the Area is now the chief operator of a criminal and illegal team terrorizing the very people he has sworn to protect is allowed to continue with his criminal activities, the whole council area may be consumed by this evil acts as the people in the Local Government are now living in perpetual fear.
“The people of Ezza, which is my constituency, had petitioned the IG, DSS, about the illegal detention cell. While in my capacity raised a motion in the house, and an ad hoc committee had been set up to investigate the matter.
“That within the period of their suspension, the Leader of Ado Local government Legislative Council should take over the affairs of the LGC in acting capacity.
“That all the network providers be directed to stop further payments to any private bank account other than the Local Government bank account with the UBA branch in Igumale. They should also be ready to provide evidence of any previous payments to any bank accounts.”
”That the police in Ado Division should immediately re-arrest those already released on the orders of Hon Sunday Oche (Chairman Ado LGA), for immediate arraignment in Court for criminal charges, I beg to so move.”
In response, Oche denied the allegation, insisting there was no illegal group or detention cell in the council.
He acknowledged that a petition had been sent to the IG and DSS, which was later forwarded to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 4, Makurdi.
“Some chiefs were arrested in connection with the petition at Zone 4, Makurdi, but after investigation, the chiefs were released on Tuesday.
“See, I just received another petition again now,” Oche said, noting that more than 18 petitions had been filed against him since assuming office in October 2024.
He also confirmed that the state assembly had invited him for investigations into both the detention cell allegation and financial impropriety, but claimed the committee found him not guilty.