The Benue Equity and Justice Movement has accused the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Benue State, Michael Aondoakaa, of allegedly plotting to influence the Federal High Court ahead of its November 16 judgment on a suit challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 governorship election.
The group’s General Secretary, Kingsley Asema, made the allegation in a statement sent to journalists, claiming that the organisation had received information about an alleged plan to bribe the judge handling the case.
Asema alleged that Aondoakaa had held meetings with his political associates, including former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and members of his legal team, to discuss ways of influencing the outcome of the case.
He further claimed that a meeting allegedly aimed at perfecting the plan took place in Jos last Friday, with some lawyers said to have attended, including Tony Ijohor, Clement Mue, Anthony Malik and Matthew Onoja.
The group also alleged that members of Aondoakaa’s legal team had advised him to approach the presiding judge through an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria based in Jos, amid concerns that the court might rule against his eligibility.
The controversy stems from a suit seeking to prevent Aondoakaa from contesting the 2027 governorship election on the grounds of a previous judgment relating to his conduct while serving as Attorney General of the Federation under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The group recalled that the Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered on December 10, 2021, affirmed an earlier decision barring Aondoakaa from holding public office for life over findings relating to the subversion of the rule of law and the administration of justice.
Separately, Allied Peoples Movement governorship candidate, Damian Adagba, had reportedly approached the court seeking an order compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission to remove Aondoakaa’s name from its portal as the PDP candidate.
In another suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2152/2026, instituted by David Ejembi, Aondoaver Teryila, Joseph Okpanachi and Benedict Akaazua Orkume against INEC, the PDP and Aondoakaa, the plaintiffs sought to stop him from presenting himself as the party’s governorship candidate.
Following arguments by the parties, the Federal High Court adjourned the matter until November 16, 2026, for judgment, while the movement urged the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Chief Justice of Nigeria to ensure that the proceedings were protected from any alleged interference.
