THE MAKURDI Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Dr Mkor Aondona, the suspended Special Adviser to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia on Documentation, Research, and Planning, over allegations of sextortion, cyberbullying, and blackmail involving female students.
The arrest, which took place on Friday, June 21, 2025, followed multiple petitions from young women who accused the governor’s aide of sexual exploitation, coercion, and illegal recording of intimate encounters.
According to the complainants, Dr. Aondona allegedly lured them with promises of employment as ushers at government events but demanded sexual favours as a condition for securing the jobs.
Details of the Allegations
The victims claimed that after being pressured into sexual relationships, they later discovered that Aondona had secretly recorded the encounters without their consent.
He allegedly used these compromising videos to blackmail them, threatening to leak the footage online if they refused further sexual demands.
Some of the victims alleged that Aondona circulated their private videos on messaging platforms, leading to some of the clips being widely shared online. The scandal gained traction after a June 13, 2025 petition by Ukan Ukurugh, a Makurdi-based human and gender rights activist, was submitted to Governor Hyacinth Alia, calling for an investigation into the alleged abuses.
Initial Arrest & Social Media Backlash
Following the petition, Aondona was initially detained by security operatives, and videos of him giving a statement at a police station went viral.
Social media was further flooded with claims that explicit videos of him engaging in sexual acts inside his office were circulating online.
After his initial release, Aondona reportedly hired a private legal team to sue Ukurugh for defamation. However, in a dramatic turn of events, the EFCC intervened, re-arresting him in Makurdi for further investigation.
Governor Suspends Aondona, Vows Zero Tolerance for Misconduct
In response to the scandal, Governor Alia on Sunday, June 22, 2025, announced the indefinite suspension of Aondona from office.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, issued a statement emphasizing the administration’s commitment to integrity, discipline, and accountability.
“Public office is a call to serve with honour, transparency, and responsibility. Anyone who deviates from this path will have no place in my government,” the statement read.
The governor assured that the legal process would proceed without interference, vowing not to protect any official involved in criminal conduct. He also reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to protecting the rights of women and vulnerable groups, pledging full cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
Controversial Past Resurfaces
Critics have questioned Aondona’s initial appointment, citing his prior dismissal from Benue State University (now Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi) over similar allegations of sexual harassment.
Reports indicate that female students had petitioned against him, leading to the termination of his appointment, though he later challenged the dismissal in court without publicly clearing his name before his political appointment.
Next Steps
The EFCC is expected to formally charge Aondona in court in the coming days, where he will face prosecution for sextortion, cyberbullying, and blackmail.
Meanwhile, human rights groups and activists have commended the governor’s swift action, calling for a thorough investigation to ensure justice for the victims.
This case has sparked wider discussions about accountability in public office and the need for stricter measures to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse of power in Nigeria’s political sphere.
