By Amos Aar
DISABILITY rights groups in Benue State have submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi Zonal Directorate, over the alleged diversion and misappropriation of ₦50 million presidential empowerment funds meant for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state.
The petition, dated December 9, 2025, and received the same date by the EFCC, was signed by eight representatives and stakeholders within the disability community, who accused the Principal Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Mr. Anshe Bemshima, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs and Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Mrs. Scholastica Ben-Sor, of jointly diverting the funds.
According to the petition, the alleged diverted ₦50 million was a grant disbursed to Benue State under a national empowerment initiative of the wife of the president, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to support 250 PWDs with ₦200,000 each to recapitalise their businesses and improve livelihoods.
The signatories also alleged that while other states fully complied with the directive, the funds in Benue were unlawfully diverted, leaving the majority of intended beneficiaries unpaid.
The petition claimed that after receipt of the funds, Mr. Bemshima allegedly directed disability groups to submit only 50 names instead of the approved 250 beneficiaries, a move the petitioners described as having no legal or administrative basis.
The petition, which was copied the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), also alleged that a distribution exercise held at the Government House, Makurdi, on December 3, 2025, fell far short of the approved target, with fewer than 42 persons allegedly receiving payments.
According to the document, only 10 beneficiaries allegedly received the approved ₦200,000, while about 15 others received ₦150,000 each, with ₦50,000 deducted from their entitlements. The petitioners claimed that more than 200 intended beneficiaries received nothing.
They also disputed claims that the deductions were made to fund a “medical outreach,” insisting that such use was not approved under the presidential grant.
The petition noted that the empowerment programme was not intended for medical services and that no authorisation or financial report supported the deductions.
Based on their calculations, the petitioners alleged that over ₦40 million from the ₦50 million grant remains unaccounted for and was allegedly diverted by the accused officials. They urged the EFCC to investigate the whereabouts of the funds and prosecute all those found culpable.
The petition listed witnesses, including the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sign Language, Hon. Angwer George, who reportedly supervised the distribution, and a beneficiary, Mr. Peter Iorkighir, who was present during the exercise.
The petitioners also referenced a previous allegation against Mr. Bemshima in 2024 over the alleged diversion of palliatives meant for PWDs, which they said showed the same pattern of alleged misconduct.
Among the reliefs sought, the petitioners asked the EFCC to arrest and investigate the accused persons, recover the allegedly misappropriated funds, ensure full payment of N200,000 to each of the 250 intended beneficiaries, and prosecute all those found guilty under relevant anti-corruption laws.
When contacted for his reaction, Mr. Bemshima said he had been instructed by the Secretary to the Benue State Government not to respond until the petition is officially submitted to the SSG’s office or the government.
Responding to questions on why copies of the petition were not served on the accused persons, the Secretary General of the Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Mr. Moses Afashima, said it was unnecessary, stressing that the EFCC is the appropriate body to invite those accused.
“This is not a court of law. It is the EFCC that will summon him to respond to the allegations. We have placed the matter before the appropriate authority,” Afashima said.
He further alleged that during a medical outreach witnessed by Governor Alia, PWDs were reportedly asked to pay N50,000, an issue he said was brought to the governor’s attention alongside concerns that palliatives and other support meant for PWDs often fail to reach them.
