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The plight of Benue orphan Martha Akumbar, which once united Nigerians in an outpouring of generosity, has spiraled into a bitter public showdown, with philanthropist and businesswoman Terhemba Eugenia Adoo (Asue) now at the eye of a raging controversy. Accusations of mismanagement, inconsistency, and personal gain have erupted online, threatening to fracture the very goodwill that lifted the young girl from obscurity. As of October 31, 2025, at 5:25 PM, a scathing post from a Benue social media influencer has gone viral, branding Adoo “the most controversial lady from Benue” while dissecting her handling of donations intended for Martha’s welfare.
The core allegation is staggering: Adoo reportedly received over ₦600,000 in public contributions after pledging ₦300,000 of her own to support Martha. Yet, according to the influencer, she later admitted to spending portions on clothing and a phone for the girl, leaving just ₦95,000 as a “development” fund—a figure that ignited outrage among donors who expected full transparency. “When she wrote that she spent the girl’s money on clothes and a phone, my anger erupted,” the influencer fumed, pointing to glaring inconsistencies in Adoo’s explanations of how the funds were disbursed. The post also referenced earlier claims by Adoo that Martha had already received clothing and an iPhone from other donors, raising questions about the necessity of repeat purchases allegedly made with donation money.
But the controversy runs deeper. The influencer accused Adoo of a pattern of questionable charity, citing an unfinished borehole project at an IDP camp as evidence of prior lapses. Beyond Martha, Adoo is portrayed as a serial figure in online disputes involving prominent Benue personalities across social and political spheres. The post ended on a ominous note—“Part 3 loading…”—hinting at more revelations to come. As of this report, Adoo has not issued an official response to the allegations, leaving the public discourse heated and polarized.
In a separate post that has since fueled the fire, Adoo attempted to defend her actions with a detailed breakdown of expenditures. She claimed a total of ₦365,000 was sent to her, with the remainder drawn from her personal account. From her own funds, she said, she purchased a phone worth ₦250,000, spent ₦171,000 on clothes at Rita Iveren’s shop, and added another ₦80,000 at a second location. She also covered Martha’s hospital bill, paid ₦100,000 during a nighttime search involving army, police, and DSS after the girl reportedly ran away, and handled additional costs for departmental registration (₦40,000), transportation (₦30,000), and a ₦10,000 cash transfer—totaling ₦641,000. Adoo further alleged that humanitarian Ukan Kurugh, who was closely involved, had access to her ATM card and could withdraw funds, challenging him to account for ₦345,000 and offering to transfer the disputed ₦95,000 directly to him for Martha.
Martha Akumbar’s story first broke hearts earlier this year when videos of her struggles as a Benue orphan surfaced online, prompting a nationwide donation drive initially coordinated by Ukan Kurugh and later linked to Adoo. What began as a beacon of hope has now become a cautionary tale about accountability in grassroots philanthropy. Donors who gave freely now demand receipts, clarity, and reassurance that their contributions reached the intended beneficiary. The renewed fundraising effort under MC Spanix Tuleh, which emphasizes vocational training and transparent management, appears to be a direct response to this trust deficit.
As the saga unfolds, one thing is clear: Martha’s future hangs in the balance not just of funds, but of faith. Will this controversy derail her path to stability, or will it force a new standard of openness in community aid? For now, Benue—and Nigeria—watches, waits, and debates. The orphan who moved a nation deserves better than to be lost in the crossfire of adult disputes.
More developments expected. Stay informed.
