The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, directs the immediate and indefinite suspension of Mr. Mkor Aondona, Special Adviser on Documentation, Research, and Planning, following his arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in sextortion, cyberbullying, and blackmail.

The Governor’s decision is in line with his unwavering commitment to uphold integrity, discipline, and accountability in public service.

He says any official of his administration found wanting in matters of criminality or ethical misconduct will face the full weight of the law.

While assuring the public that the law will take its full course without interference or bias, the Governor states clearly that his administration will not tolerate any act that brings the government into disrepute or undermines public trust.

He points out that public office is a call to serve with honour, transparency, and responsibility, and anyone who deviates from this path will have no place in his government.

The suspended aide is expected to submit himself fully to the legal process to answer to the grave allegations levelled against him.

The Government of Benue State under the administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia remains committed to protecting the rights and dignity of all citizens, especially women and vulnerable groups, and will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure justice is served.

Tersoo Kula, mnipr

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently refer the situation in Benue and other states to the International Criminal Court, ICC, for the court to exercise its jurisdiction over the violeence and unlawful killings and other serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in the state.

SERAP says referring the Benue situation to the International Criminal Court, ICC, would demonstrate Tinubu’s commitment to combating human rights crisis in the state.

Ekwutosblog recalls that Professor James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and the state’s paramount ruler had Told Tinubu during his visit that the attacks in Benue were calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits, which has been going on for decades.

In a letter dated 21 June 2025 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Your government has a primary responsibility to ensure accountability and justice and reparations for grave human rights crimes.”

“Referring the situation in Benue state to the ICC would contribute to achieving your expressed commitment to ‘hunt down the perpetrators of the attacks and bring them to justice, deliver justice for victims and restore peace in the state.’”

“Accountability for these brutal mass killings is urgently needed, regardless of whether the perpetrators are state-actors or non-state actors or both.”

“Any reluctance to refer the situation in Benue to the ICC would continue to embolden perpetrators—state actors and non-state actors alike to continue to attack the people of the state with impunity. Many of those responsible for these brutal attacks have continued to evade justice.”

“Given the alleged complicity of state actors in the situation in Benue and other states witnessing cases of serious human rights violations and crimes under international law, domestic avenues have shown to be both insufficient and inadequate to achieve accountability and justice to the victims and their families,” among others.

The spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, has resigned.

Soneye disclosed this in a statement made available to Ekwutosblog on Saturday.

He said he would no longer be the spokesperson for the oil giant, as he had “stepped aside from his role as Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd”.

Soneye said he wants to devote more time to his family, and attend to personal responsibilities that now require his closer presence.

NNPCL appointed Soneye as its spokesperson in August 2021.

Soneye’s full statement:

Dear Esteemed Colleagues,

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all for the unwavering support, professionalism, and genuine commitment you’ve shown in helping to shape and amplify the NNPC Ltd story over the past 20 months. Your role in building a vibrant and effective communications presence for our national energy company has been nothing short of invaluable.

I wish to inform you that I have stepped aside from my role as Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd.

This decision will allow me to devote more time to my family and attend to personal responsibilities that now require my closer presence.

It has been a profound honour to serve both the company and our country and to contribute in my own way to the ongoing transformation of NNPC Ltd. I am deeply grateful for the trust reposed in me, the opportunities granted, and the incredible professionals both within and outside the organisation with whom I have worked.

I remain a steadfast supporter and ambassador of NNPC Ltd wherever I go. I enjoin you, dear colleagues, to continue your robust, balanced, and constructive reportage in support of the company’s noble mission and strategic role in Nigeria’s energy future.

With sincere appreciation,

Olufemi Soneye.