Former Benue State Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Hon. Odoh Ugwu, has denied allegations linking him to an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, investigation over an alleged financial scandal involving school feeding programme vendors.
Through his legal representatives, Olajide Oyewole LLP, Ugwu described the report published by Nigerian Concord News on August 1, 2025, as “false, malicious and damaging.”
The publication, titled “Sacked Benue Commissioner in Financial Scandal as Food Vendors Run to EFCC,” alleged that the ex-commissioner collected ₦30,000 from certain food vendors under the school feeding programme.
In a legal notice addressed to the outlet, Legal Director Ismaila Shaib Usman, speaking on behalf of Ugwu, stated: “Our client’s position is that your defamatory falsehood published against him is malicious, evil and totally untrue, intended to cause him serious reputational damage and indeed has affected his standing and goodwill as a private citizen and frontline politician in Benue State.”
The law firm further emphasised that Ugwu never had oversight of the school feeding programme, which is under the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, and that he has never been invited or investigated by the EFCC or any security agency in relation to any crime.
According to the notice, the publication has already caused significant harm to Ugwu’s reputation, leading to public ridicule, distress to his family and associates, and potential damage to his political career.
“The false claims and allegations contained in your publication against our client have not only exposed our client to societal ridicule but also seriously damaged his political and business reputation and standing in Benue State and Nigeria in general,” the law firm wrote.
Ugwu is demanding a retraction of the story and a public apology to be published on the outlet’s website and in five national newspapers, as well as ₦1 billion in damages.
He warned that failure to comply within the stipulated time would lead to legal action for both civil damages and criminal defamation.
