A growing chorus of former students, civil society organizations and online activists is demanding that the Benue State House of Assembly halt the confirmation of Associate Professor Timothy Yangien Ornguga as a state commissioner, following a petition accusing him of misconduct and psychological abuse during his tenure at the Faculty of Law, Benue State University.
According to the petition submitted last week, Dr. Ornguga repeatedly subjected students to “cruel and humiliating” treatment in the classroom. Specific allegations include penalizing students who failed to correctly spell his full Tiv name, “Yangien,” and boasting publicly of deliberately failing underperforming students. Petitioners contend that these tactics created a “toxic” learning environment, inflicting long-term emotional distress on many who passed through his classes.
“In one instance, an assessment required students to spell his full Tiv name,” the petition reads. “Those who failed were penalised not for their knowledge of the law but for not knowing his personal name. In another case, he boasted in class about promising a student an F and recounted how he enjoyed failing students – even discussing it proudly with his spouse.”
Former students describe an academic atmosphere rife with intimidation. “It was demoralising,” one alumnus told Hobnob News. “You never knew when a simple mistake would lead to public humiliation. Some of us still carry the scars.” Another recalled sleepless nights and panic attacks before appearing in his lectures.
The petitioners are calling on Speaker Aondona Ochapa and the other members of the State Assembly to suspend Dr. Ornguga’s confirmation process immediately. They demand the formation of an independent investigative panel to examine his professional conduct, alongside a comprehensive psychological evaluation to determine his fitness for public office—or even continued work in academia.
Social media has become a focal point for the outcry. Multiple Facebook groups and Twitter threads have surfaced, featuring testimonials from across Nigeria. Activists argue that appointing individuals with documented histories of abusive behaviour undermines public trust and risks replicating academic cruelty within state institutions.
“If someone with this temperament assumes a ministry, the same toxic energy that traumatized students in his classroom could be transferred into the very institutions meant to serve the public good,” the petition warns. “Public offices must be reserved for those with empathy, integrity, and accountability.”
In support of their stance, the petition cites a 2016 incident in Kaduna State, where public complaints over a nominee’s alleged student abuse led to the withdrawal of that individual’s appointment. At the time, the Kaduna government acknowledged the necessity of emotional maturity and character alongside professional qualifications.
Drawing on this precedent, the petitioners outline several recommendations:
- Suspend Dr. Ornguga’s Confirmation
Immediately halt the Assembly’s consideration of his nomination to any public post in Benue State. - Investigate Allegations
Constitute an independent committee to probe claims of psychological abuse, intimidation and sadistic conduct toward students. - Psychological Evaluation
Subject Dr. Ornguga to a thorough assessment to gauge his emotional fitness for leadership roles and academic responsibilities. - Strengthen Ethical Vetting
Implement clear guidelines and screening procedures for all political nominees, including reviews of past conduct and public testimonies. - Safeguard Public Trust
Bar individuals with records of cruelty or abuse from holding positions of power in the interest of justice, equity, and public safety.
Civil society groups—among them the Benue Rights Watch and the Students’ Welfare Coalition—have thrown their weight behind the petition, calling it “a matter of principle, safety, and the mental health of those under his authority.”
As the Assembly prepares to reconvene this week, observers say the volume and specificity of the allegations may pose a significant challenge to the confirmation process. With the governor’s appointment pending legislative approval, all eyes are on Makurdi to see whether the House will heed calls for a deeper investigation—or proceed with a nominee whose academic record is now under intense scrutiny.
