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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Dr. Tersoo Joseph Loko, former Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSEIC), alongside ten other individuals before the Federal High Court in Makurdi on charges related to an alleged ₦1.1 billion fraud.
The defendants were brought before Justice M. S. Abubakar on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, in what has quickly become one of the most closely watched financial crime cases in Benue State in recent years.
According to information from the anti-graft agency, the group is accused of masterminding and executing a massive scheme involving the fraudulent diversion or misappropriation of funds amounting to ₦1.1 billion. While full details of the charges, including specific counts and the nature of the alleged offences, were not immediately made public in initial reports, the scale of the amount involved has drawn significant public and media attention across the state.
The arraignment marks a major development in the EFCC’s ongoing efforts to investigate and prosecute high-profile cases of financial misconduct involving public office holders and associated individuals in Benue. Dr. Loko, who previously oversaw the conduct of local government elections in the state during his tenure as BSEIC Chairman, now faces serious legal scrutiny over the allegations.
EFCC officials have described the case as one requiring a thorough and diligent investigation, signaling that more revelations and possibly additional charges could emerge as proceedings continue.
The matter has already generated widespread discussion among political observers, civil society groups, and residents of Benue, many of whom are keenly following developments to see how the judicial process unfolds.
The case is expected to return to court for further hearings, including pleas, bail applications, and the presentation of evidence by the prosecution. For the latest official updates, the EFCC has directed the public to its website at www.efcc.gov.ng.
As the trial progresses, it is likely to remain a focal point in conversations about accountability, transparency, and the management of public resources in Benue State.
