Ex-Benue Commissioner Odoh Ugwu Denies EFCC Probe Over Alleged School Feeding Fraud

Former Benue State Commissioner for Water Resources, Environment, and Climate Change, Hon. Odoh Ugwu, has strongly denied any link to an EFCC investigation into alleged fraud involving school food program vendors.

The claims were contained in an August 1, 2025 article by Nigerian Concord News titled “Sacked Benue Commissioner in Financial Scandal as Food Vendors Run to EFCC”. The story alleged that Ugwu collected ₦30,000 from certain food vendors in connection with the national school feeding scheme.

Ugwu, through his legal representatives at Olajide Oyewole LLP, issued a firm denial and a legal warning to the publication. The letter, signed by Legal Director Ismaila Shaib Usman, described the story as “false, malicious, and damaging.”

“Our client’s position is that your defamatory falsehood… is 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 letter stated.

The legal team emphasized that Ugwu never had any oversight of the school feeding program, which falls under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management. He has never been invited or investigated by the EFCC or any security agency for any alleged crime.

The notice further argued that the publication had caused public ridicule, distress to Ugwu’s family and associates, and may have a lasting effect on his political and business reputation.

“The false claims… have seriously damaged his political and business standing in Benue State and Nigeria in general,” the lawyers stated.

Ugwu is demanding:

• A public retraction of the article

• An unreserved apology, published on the outlet’s website and in five major national newspapers

• A ₦1 billion compensation for reputational damage

Failure to comply, the law firm warned, would result in civil litigation and possible criminal defamation charges.