Hon. Terseer Ugbor representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State in the House of Representatives, has instructed his legal team to take Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue State Government to court over allegations of palliative diversion.
Ugbor plans to challenge the accusations, seeking legal redress to protect his reputation.
The lawmaker in a statement yesterday said he is suing the state government for defamation and demanding N1 billion in damages, which he intends to use to build a housing estate for displaced people in Kwande.
Ugbor’s move followed the recent confiscation of a truckload of relief materials by the Benue State government on allegation that it was allegedly being diverted into a personal warehouse by the lawmaker.
The truck, carrying palliatives secured by Ugbor from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), was impounded in Makurdi by the governor, who expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.
But Ugbor said he is taking the legal action to clear his name and also ensure that the relief materials are released for the benefit of his constituents.
“In light of this development, I have instructed my legal team to examine the accusations and consider taking appropriate action to safeguard my reputation and set the record straight in court.
“My support for the transportation, storage, and distribution of palliatives to displaced individuals in Kwande is not a new endeavour, yet it has seemingly provoked the governor’s displeasure”, he said.
He noted that as a legislator, his duty was to help secure benefits for his constituents adding that “in any other state, my efforts would have been acknowledged with gratitude.”
