January 28, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Dr. Tersoo Joseph Loko, a former Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSEIC), alongside 10 other defendants before the Federal High Court in Makurdi, Benue State, over allegations of fraud and diversion of public funds totaling N1.1 billion.
Loko and the co-accused were brought before Justice M.S. Abubakar on 30-count charges related to criminal misappropriation of public funds and money laundering, the EFCC said. The commission said the allegations stem from the handling of funds released for the 2020 and 2022 local government elections in Benue State.
According to the prosecution’s case, a total of N985,403,001.74 and N680,000,000 were released for the two election cycles, but only N565,039,506 was allegedly used in carrying out the elections, leaving N1,100,363,594 unaccounted for, EFCC counsel M.S. Yusuf told the court.
The charges include allegations that Loko, while in office, received cash payments of N118,166,000 and N110,905,000, which the EFCC said were recorded as official receipts but were allegedly diverted for personal use, offences the commission says are contrary to Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Also arraigned with Loko were:
- Kuleve Kelvin Terlumun
- Mtomga Manasseh
- Ugbede Denen Ronald
- Tatyough Thaddeus
- Angwa Dominic Terhember
- Uwua Benjamin Igbawua
- Adese Asom
- Orkuma Emmanuel Nyiusta
- Owoicho Odeh
- Mhir Iyenge
All the defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them in court.
Justice Abubakar granted the defendants bail of N50 million each with one surety in like sum, ordering that the surety must possess a valid international passport and that the defendants deposit their passports with the court registrar. Pending perfection of their bail conditions, the judge ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody.
The case was adjourned to April 24, 2026, for hearing as the prosecution prepares to prove its case.