By Lubem Gana in Benue
The International Centre for Transparency Nigeria (ICTN) has alleged that the ₦41.8 billion compensation awarded to victims of the 2001 Zaki Biam and Gbeji massacres was frustrated by prolonged legal and administrative processes.
The group specifically accused former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, of playing a central role in delaying justice for the victims.
ICTN also alleged a political arrangement involving the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, aimed at supporting a PDP candidate in the 2027 Benue State governorship election. The allegations were made by the group’s National Leader, Prof. Joseph Vershima, during a press briefing in Abuja.
According to the group, the alleged political moves could also affect the electoral fortunes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State in 2027. ICTN said Chief Aondoakaa’s actions during his tenure as AGF contributed significantly to delays in enforcing the compensation awarded to victims of the massacres.
The group recalled that following military operations in several Tiv communities in 2001, victims dragged the Federal Government to court over alleged violations of their fundamental human rights. On July 5, 2007, the Federal High Court in a judgment delivered by Justice Lewis Allagoa held the Federal Government liable and awarded ₦41.8 billion in damages.
ICTN alleged that after the judgment, Aondoakaa, who had become AGF, appealed the decision, thereby stalling enforcement of the court order. The group further stated that the late Alexander Gaadi, a lead representative of the victims, spent personal resources pursuing the case and died while the appeal was still pending.
ICTN said that after Aondoakaa left office in 2010, the Federal Government under his successor, the late Mohammed Bello Adoke, initiated talks for an out-of-court settlement of about ₦8 billion. However, the group said the proposed settlement sparked controversy over who the lawful beneficiaries were, following Gaadi’s death.
The organisation described the case as one of the most significant human rights compensation matters in the country and called for renewed government attention to the victims and their families. ICTN also accused some APC politicians in Benue of working against the re-election prospects of President Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia ahead of 2027.
It alleged that former APC senatorial aspirant, Mr. Emmanuel Jime, recently led aggrieved members to a meeting with Senator Akume where they expressed unwillingness to work with Governor Alia and the recognized APC leadership in the state. The group further claimed the faction was seeking association with an APC group previously dissolved by the party’s National Working Committee, as part of a strategy to weaken the APC in Benue and give PDP an advantage in 2027.
ICTN added that some individuals were allegedly mobilizing resources to support opposition candidates in the 2027 State House of Assembly elections to frustrate the governor’s administration. It urged President Tinubu to intervene, warning that internal APC divisions could hurt the party’s performance.
While raising the allegations, ICTN praised Governor Alia’s administration for achievements in roads, education, health, agriculture, security and workers’ welfare, including over 600km of roads, new tertiary institutions, teacher recruitment, and implementation of a ₦75,000 minimum wage. The group called for unity and transparency as 2027 approaches.
