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Benue pension arrears rise from N400m to N1bn in three years – State Govt

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The Benue State Government has disclosed that its pension arrears have ballooned from N400 million to N1 billion over the past three years, following the discovery of thousands of unrecorded pensioners during a recent data verification exercise.

Despite the growing financial burden, the government has assured both workers and retirees of its continued commitment to offsetting outstanding payments.

The State Commissioner for Finance, Michael Oglegba, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Makurdi.

Oglegba revealed that the current administration inherited heavy debts, including 48 months of unpaid salaries and pensions. “When we assumed office, we found that many pensioners had not been captured in the system for up to three years. Once we included them, the pension backlog rose from N400 million to N1 billion,” he stated.

He added that salary payments were uneven — some workers were owed 12 months, others up to seven. To address this, the government began phased payments. So far in 2024, five months’ worth of arrears have been cleared, with another five months budgeted for settlement in 2025, depending on available funds.

“We’ve paid off salary backlogs at Benue State University (BSU) and several MDAs. For others still owed beyond six or seven months, payments are ongoing,” Oglegba said.

The commissioner clarified that while the backlog is being addressed in stages, the government has never claimed to have cleared all outstanding arrears.

On the revalidation exercise, Oglegba said it yielded substantial savings by exposing ghost workers and reducing the monthly wage bill. These savings were redirected to ease pension liabilities.

He also explained that institutions like BSU and Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) are not categorized as civil service but receive monthly government support to pay their staff.

In a bid to improve welfare, the government has implemented a new minimum wage. Salaries for workers on grade levels 7 to 17 were raised from N18,000 to N75,000, while those on levels 1 to 6 now earn N75,000, up from N30,000.

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A 93-year-old man has shared his secret to a long and healthy life: quitting beer.

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In an inspiring revelation, he disclosed that he stopped drinking beer in 1975, a decision that has not only improved his health but also helped him save a significant amount of money.

According to the man’s account, abstaining from beer has had numerous health benefits. Research supports this claim, highlighting that quitting alcohol can.

Improve Heart Health: Lower blood pressure, reduce triglycerides, and decrease the risk of heart failure
Enhance Liver Function : Allow the liver to heal and function normally, reducing the risk of liver disease

Boost Mental Clarity: Improve memory, nervous system function, and overall mental well-being

Promote Weight Loss :  Reduce calorie intake and support a balanced diet and exercise

Reduce Cancer Risk : Lower the risk of certain types of cancer, including liver, throat, and stomach cancer

The man advises young people to avoid habits and diets that pose health risks, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing one’s well-being. His story serves as a testament to the benefits of making healthy lifestyle choices.

– Quitting beer can lead to significant health improvements
– Abstaining from alcohol can reduce the risk of chronic diseases
– Healthy habits can contribute to a long and fulfilling life

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Alleged $6b Mambilla Project Fraud: Court Admits more Evidence against Agunloye

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Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal High Court, sitting in Apo, Abuja, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, admitted additional evidence from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against a former Minister of Power and Steel, Olu Agunloye.

Agunloye is facing prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on seven-count charges, bordering on official corruption and fraudulent award of Mambilla Power Project contract to the tune of $6billion (Six Billion US Dollars).

 

The additional evidence are an investigation report of the Mambila HydroElectric Power Project, the defendant awarded to Sunrise Power &Transmission Company Limited and a warrant of arrest on Jide Sotinri. They were marked “Exhibit EFCC R and S.”

During the day’s proceedings, Agunloye through his counsel, Adeola Adedikpe, SAN informed the court of his application for the release of his passport to enable him travel abroad for medical evaluation.

 

Responding to the application, prosecution counsel, M.K Hussain asked the court for more time to enable him study the application and file his reply.

The judge adjourned till Thursday, July 17, 2025 for the the hearing of the overseas medical trip application.

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SUMMARY OF THE JUDGMENT OF IMO STATE HIGH COURT,NWAORIEUBI JUDICIAL DIVISION DELIVERED ON THE 2ND DAY OF JULY 2025 OVER IMO STATE INTERNATIONAL MODERN MARKET EGBEADA/UBOMMIRI.

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1.THE HONOURABLE COURT DECLARED THAT BY VIRTUE OF S.7 4TH SCHEDULE OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (AS AMENDED) IT IS ONLY AND ONLY THE MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL (NOT IMO STATE GOVERNMENT OR ITS MINISTRY OF COMMERCE,TRADE & INVESTMENT OR ANY OF ITS AGENCIES)THAT HAS THE EXCLUSIVE CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS TO ESTABLISH,DESIGN, PACELATE,BUILD MANAGE, CONTROL, ISSUE ALLOCATION PAPERS AND COLLECT REVENUE AT IMO MODERN INTERNATIONAL MARKET EGBEADA/UBOMMIRI.

2.THE INVASION AND FORCEFUL TAKE OVER OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED MARKET BY IMO STATE GOVERNMENT THROUGH ITS THEN MINISTRY OF NON FORMAL SECTOR AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN THE YEAR 2020 AND THE SUBSEQUENT ALLOCATIONS AND OUTRIGHT RESELLING OF LOCK UP SHOPS,OPEN SHADES/STALLS AND SPACE/PLOTS OF LAND BY THE SAID MINISTRY TO OCCUPANTS AT THE SAID MARKET (PHASE 1 & 2 AND ANNEX) FROM 2020 TILL DATE IN CONNIVANCE WITH SUCCESSIVE MBAITOLI COUNCIL ADMINISTRATIONS HAS BEEN SET ASIDE AND SAME DECLARED UNLAWFUL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL, ILLEGAL,NULL AND VOID AB INITIO BY THE HONOURABLE COURT.

3.ALL ALLOCATION PAPERS AND OUTRIGHT RESELLING OF LOCK UP SHOPS,OPEN SHADES,OPEN SPACE/PLOTS OF LANDS AT THE ABOVE MENTIONED MARKET BY SUCCESSIVE ADMINISTRATION OF MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL AFTER 2019 HAS BEEN SET ASIDE AND SAME DECLARED ILLEGAL, UNLAWFUL, UNCONSTITUTIONAL,NULL AND VOID AB INITIO BY THE HONOURABLE COURT. (Meaning if you are an occupant of lock up shop,open stalls/ shades,space/plots of land at the said market(phase 1 and 2 and annex) and your allocation paper was issued to you after 2019 by either Mbaitoli Local Government or Imo State Government,you are nothing but an ILLEGAL OCCUPANT.Only those with allocation papers from Mbaitoli Local Government Council BEFORE 2019 are survivals of this landmark judgment).

4.THE DEFENDANTS IN THE SAID JUDGMENT ARE RESTRAINED BY THE HONOURABLE COURT FROM USING THE POLICE TO OBSTRUCT,HARRASS OR ARREST OR INTIMIDATE THE PLAINTIFFS IN THE COURSE OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE SAID LANDMARK JUDGMENT OF COURT.

5.THE COURT HAS ORDERED AND DIRECTED THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE IMO STATE POLICE COMMAND AND THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE HEADED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE TO ASSIST THE PLAINTIFFS TOWARDS ENSURING THE FULL ENFORCEMENT OF THE SAID LANDMARK JUDGMENT OF COURT.

6.3RD,6TH AND 7TH DEFENDANTS IN THE SAID JUDGMENT TO JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY PAY THE SUM OF N1MILLION NAIRA COST OF LITIGATION TO THE PLAINTIFF COUNSEL IN THE SAID JUDGMENT OF COURT.

7.THE COURT UPHOLDS AND AUTHENTICATES THE ORIGINAL DESIGN/PURPOSE CLAUSE OF THE SAID MARKET ESTATE PROJECT BY MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION IN 2018 AND NON OTHER EITHER BY THE MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL OR IMO STATE GOVERNMENT AFTER 2019.

8.THE COURT DIRECTS ALL ILLEGAL OCCUPANTS WITH ILLEGAL AND FRAUDULENT ALLOCATION PAPERS OF LOCK UP SHOPS,OPEN SHADES,OPEN SPACE/PLOTS OF LANDS AT THE SAID MARKET TO VACATE WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE JUDGMENT OF COURT.

ABOVE IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION:
This summary presentation is for all doubting Thomases who may be risking various jail terms for disobedience to the LANDMARK JUDGMENT OF THIS HUNOURABLE COUR5 THAT HAS RETURNED FINANCIAL/REVENUE COLLECTION AUTONOMY TO MBAITOLI LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

CONGRATULATIONS TO NDI MBAITOLI.

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