Court Orders Benue Governor Alia to Disclose Finances

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja has mandated Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to reveal financial records of his administration from June 2023. This ruling, issued by Justice Hamza Mu’azu, follows a lawsuit filed by Joseph Waya, a former governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, seeking transparency in public fund management.

The court's order requires Alia to disclose details regarding the state’s revenue and expenditure, including federal allocations, internally generated revenue, loans, grants, government contracts, foreign donations, personnel costs, and pension payments. Waya's legal action was prompted by the state government's failure to provide comprehensive financial information he requested under the Freedom of Information Act on September 8, 2025.

The court upheld Waya's right to access these records, emphasizing the importance of transparency in government operations. The ruling comes amid political pressure on Alia's administration to account for over ₦1.3 trillion received since he took office in May 2023.