Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, has suspended Mkor Aondona, his special adviser on research and planning, following his recent arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
On Saturday, EFCC announced the arrest of Aondona after some female students accused him of sexual exploitation, cyberbullying and blackmail.
The petitioners accused the governor’s aide of using sexual favours as a condition for job appointment and also obtaining videos of every sexual act without their consent while threatening to leak the videos if they refused to continue having sex with him.
In a statement on Sunday, Alia said Aondona’s suspension is an attempt to “uphold integrity, discipline, and accountability in public service”.
The governor added that any official of his administration found guilty of criminal or ethical misconduct would face the law.
“While assuring the public that the law will take its full course without interference or bias, the governor states clearly that his administration will not tolerate any act that brings the government into disrepute or undermines public trust,” Tersoo Kula, the chief press secretary to the governor, quoted him as saying.
“He points out that public office is a call to serve with honour, transparency, and responsibility, and anyone who deviates from this path will have no place in his government.”
