EFCC arraigns Benue agric agency MD over alleged N59.8m diversion

By Peter Duru

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi Zonal Directorate, has arraigned the Managing Director of the Benue State Agricultural Development Company (BS-ADC), Mr. Donald Akule, over the alleged diversion of N59.8 million.

Akule was brought before Justice Ronald Egbe of the Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi on an eight-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, stealing and diversion of public funds.

The EFCC told the court that the defendant was arrested following a petition accusing him of misappropriating funds belonging to BS-ADC, specifically monies meant for the supply of grains to the Benue State Government.

According to the prosecution, investigations revealed that Akule allegedly failed to pay contractors who supplied grains to the agency after diverting a substantial portion of the funds for personal use.

“The monies diverted formed part of the N486 million released to BS-ADC by the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) for fish cultivation, grain purchases and renovation of warehouses,” the EFCC stated.

Further investigations, the commission added, showed that part of the funds meant strictly for grain procurement was allegedly transferred directly into the defendant’s private bank account.

One of the charges read in court alleged that Akule, while serving as Managing Director of BS-ADC in 2024 and 2025, “conferred corrupt advantage on Udeco Engineering Company, owned by his associate, Henry Ogbu Ude, by awarding contracts for perimeter fencing, gatehouse construction, warehouse renovation, and installation of CCTV without due process.”

The contracts were valued at N195.82 million, of which N31.969 million was allegedly diverted for his personal benefit.

Another count alleged that on December 20, 2025, the defendant “knowingly obtained by false pretence” the sum of N14 million from BIPC, which was presented as payment for fish stocking and construction of fish ponds, an act said to be contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against him.

Following the plea, prosecuting counsel, Abubakar Idris, urged the court to grant a short adjournment for accelerated hearing of the case, saying, “We are ready to proceed with trial.”

However, defence counsel informed the court that a bail application had been filed on behalf of the defendant.

Objecting to the bail request, Idris told the court that “granting bail at this stage may jeopardize the case, as the defendant could tamper with evidence.”

In a brief ruling, Justice Egbe adjourned the matter to Thursday, January 29, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a correctional facility pending further proceedings.

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