The Deputy Speaker of Benue State House of Assembly, Lami Danladi-Ogenyi, has alleged that the Chairman of Ado Local Government Area of the state, Sunday Oche, operates a detention cell in Ezza area of the LGA.
However, the LG chair, Sunday Oche, dismissed the allegation, asserting that there was no such group or any detention cell in his council.
Speaking with journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, Mrs Danladi-Ogenyi claimed that the cell is being run by political stooges under the watch of council chairman, Sunday Oche and constitutes a threat to the life of the people in Ezza.
The deputy speaker said that her constituents had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and other security heads over the development.
Danladi-Ogenyi added that she had raised a motion on the floor of the state assembly, and an ad hoc committee had been set up to investigate the matter.
She said, “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, terrorising the very people, he has sworn to protect, is allowed to continue with his criminal activities, the whole council may be consumed by these evil acts, as the people in the local government live 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, I have raised a motion in the house, and an ad hoc committee has been set up investigating the matter.”
In the motion, the deputy speaker called for the suspension of the LG chairman and deputy chairman to pave the way for the investigation.
The motion read, “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 Sunday Oche (Chairman Ado LGA), for immediate arraignment in court for criminal charges, I beg to so move.”
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, the LG chair, Oche, confirmed that a group of people in Ezza had petitioned the IG and DSS, and the petition was 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,” Oche said.
Oche also confirmed that the state assembly had invited him for an investigation on the matter, as well as on financial impropriety, and claimed that the committee did not find him wanting.
He further said that over 18 petitions had been written against him since his assumption of office in October 2024.
“See, I just received another petition again,” he added.
