The Honourable Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) in Benue State, James Oche Ogaba, presided over ten case conferences on March 19, 2025, delivering rulings aimed at ensuring administrative justice.
One of the cases involved a petition from the Ezza Community in Ado Local Government, alleging that Agbo Samuel and Michael Ojah conspired to destroy their economic trees and engaged in criminal activities to displace them. While acknowledging that the Ezza people were indigenes of Ado, Oche adjourned the case to allow further review of documents submitted by the Respondent. A minute of silence was observed in memory of a young girl who allegedly died from a rape incident involving members of the Respondent’s group.
In another case, IGJ Ltd accused the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, of violating the Public Procurement Act in an auction process. However, the Medical Director clarified that the auction had been canceled in December 2025 due to procedural errors, with no firm receiving an award letter. Oche advised that future auctions should involve PCC oversight to ensure fairness and transparency.
A major highlight of the proceedings was a job racketeering case against Loretta Nungwa Alfa of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund. Anthony Inalegwu and six others accused Alfa of collecting N2,500,000 under the pretense of securing jobs for them but failing to deliver. With N1,800,000 still unpaid, Oche ordered the Respondent to refund the balance in installments over six months, starting from June 2025.
Oche also mediated pension-related complaints from Sule James and 62 others against the Benue State Pension Commission, which had allegedly withheld their pensions and gratuities for years. The Commission explained that pension arrears payments began in June 2023, but Oche urged the government to accelerate the process for full settlement.
Another dispute involved Jessy Orokpo, who accused former Obi Local Government Chairman, Hon. Oko Michael E., of underpaying him for a 2009 project. Orokpo claimed he was only given N1,000,000 instead of the N1,850,000 owed. Oche adjourned the case pending the submission of documentary evidence.
In a landlord-tenant dispute, Mercy K. Shagba reported that her tenant, Terfa Iorember, refused to pay his N35,000 rent. While the Respondent promised to pay, Oche took an unexpected step by settling the rent himself.
For a case involving the non-reinstatement of four Obi Local Government staff despite a 2011 court ruling in their favor, Oche rescheduled the hearing after three co-respondents failed to appear.
Additionally, two complaints were lodged against Royal Fountain International School over unpaid salaries. As the Respondent failed to attend the hearing, Oche directed that they be re-invited.
A key moment in the proceedings was the recovery and presentation of N70,000 to the Trustworthy Foundation, a loan firm, from one of its debtors.
Oche praised the PCC staff for their commitment and assured them that the Commission would continue prioritizing their welfare while intensifying efforts to combat injustice, particularly in job racketeering cases.
