January 28, (THEWILL) — The Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, and presided over by Justice R.J. Egbe, has ordered the Managing Director of Benue State Agricultural Development Company, Mr Donald Aorkwagh Akule, to be remanded at the Correctional Centre, Makurdi, over the alleged diversion of ₦59.8 million.
This followed his arraignment by the Makurdi Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, January 26, 2026.
According to EFCC, the defendant, Mr Donald, was docked on an eight-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, stealing and diversion of public funds.
The defendant was arrested by the EFCC upon the receipt of a petition against him for alleged criminal breach of trust and stealing of funds belonging to the Benue State Agricultural Development Company for the supply of grains to the state government.
Investigation revealed that the MD/CEO was not able to pay for the grains supplied by some contractors because he allegedly diverted a substantial part of the funds meant for the purchase for his personal use.
According to EFCC, the monies allegedly diverted were part of the ₦486 million sent to the company by the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) for the purpose of fish cultivation, grains purchase and warehouse renovation.
Further investigation revealed that the monies received by the BSADC Managing Director from BIPC for the purchase of grains, part of which he diverted directly to his private account.
Count One reads: that you Donald Aorkwagh Akule, while in your capacity as the Managing Director of Benue State Agricultural Development Company, sometimes in 2024 and 2025 in Makurdi, Benue State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did confer a corrupt advantage on Udeco Engineering Company, owned by your friend Henry Ogbu Ude by awarding contracts for the construction of perimeter fencing gate house, warehouse renovation, supplies and installation of CCTV, totalling the sum of ₦195,820.000.00 without following due process.
“That, you used part of the purported contract sum of N31,969,000.00 for your benefit, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same Act.”
Count seven reads: “That you, Donald Aorkwagh Akule, Whilst in your capacity as Managing Director of BS-ADC sometime on 20th December, 2025 in Makurdi, Benue State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court knowingly obtained by pretense the sum of ₦14 million from the Benue State Investment Company which was represented to be payment for the stocking of fish and building of fish pond, which represented you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him by the anti-graft body.
In view of his plea, A.S. Idris, Counsel to the prosecution, prayed the court for a short date for an accelerated trial, while Counsel to the defendant informed the court that he had an application for bail of his client.
However, Counsel to the EFCC objected to the bail application, stating that if granted, the defendant will tamper with evidence.
In a short ruling, the trial Judge, Justice Egbe, adjourned the matter to January 29, 2026, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered the remand of the defendant at the Correctional Centre, Makurdi.
