Government Nominee

JOSEPH JOSEPHAT INJOKIMBI ABAAGU

(J.I. Abaagu & co, Attorneys, mediators and corporate consultants:)

Makurdi office. Mandela chambers, Nikita plaza 83, Benue crescent makurdi, Makurdi office: Ext B52, Efabwell Annex Ahmadu Bello Way Area II Garji Abuja. Born in 14th August, 1961 in Makurdi, hail from Ushongo, LGA of Benue State. Graduated from Faculty of Law, ABU Zaria, 1984 with LLB (Hons) and Nigeria Law school, Lagos in 1985 with BL, called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. I served NYSC in the Investment Trust Co Ltd, Calabar in 1986.

CAREER EXPERIENCE:

As a Lawyer

– Practiced as Litigation Advocate and Corporate services consultant from 1986 to date (except the period I took leave to serve in public/political offices).

– Have been External solicitors to many corporate organizations including
Benue state university, Makurdi since its inception in 1992 to date.

– Have been active in NBA at Branch and National Levels and held several positions including member of National Exco for over 10 ears and Chairman of Makurdi Branch when it covered the whole Benue State and after we created two additional Branches of Gboko and Otukpo. Currently, I am the chairman of the College of Past Chairmen of NBA, Makurdi Branch.

As Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Benue State, 2005 to 2007

  • I revised and printed all the Laws of Benue State up to 2004.
  • I initiated and posted Lawyers of the Ministry of Justice to all
  • Government ministries and parastatals to offer day to day Legal services to government MDAS.
  • I was chairman of the State Committee on the prerogative of Mercy.
  • I was a member of several statutory commissions, organizations and committees including the state Judicial Service Commission, the Body of Benchers, Council for legal education, General Bar Council, State High Court Rules Committee, State Criminal Justice Committee etc.

As Commissioner of commerce & Industries, Benue State. 2001 to 2005

  • Initiated and constructed several industries including the fruit juice factory in Makurdi, Cassava flour mills in Makurdi, Tomato and Mango Juice factory at Wannune, Benkims Plastics company in Makurdi.
  • Resuscitated Taraku mills, Otukpo Burnt Bricks factory, Fertilizer Blending plant in Makurdi, Makurdi International Hotel.
  • I represented the state on the boards of several governments owned companies and others in which government had substantial equity stake.

As Chairman of Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiative (UDPCI) from 2021 till date

JDPCI is the social arm of the Catholic Arch diocese of Abuja which is registered at the CAC as an incorporated Trustee. We cater to the needs of the less privileged in the society and within the period of my membership and later chairman of the Governing Board, we have: –

  • Sunk boreholes to provide water to several rural communities of Abuja including Tugbechi, Orozo, Goza, Kogo, Pegi and Sheda.
  • With funding aid from the Catholic Relief Service (CRS) We have empowered over 300 youths in batches in different skills with start off packs. Currently 160 youths are undergoing training.
  • We have offered micro credit support to youth and women severally.
  • With funding support from Catholic Agency for oversees Development (CAFOD) we have established a briquetting factory producing charcoal from biomass waste for domestic energy production as against use of firewood obtained from felling trees.
  • We have planted over 11,000 trees to protect the environment
  • We do prison visitations and pay their fines to gain their release.
  • We have embarked on an ambitious project of establishing a multipurpose youth formation Centre to get youth of Abula off to streets to learn valuable skills and values.
  • We are currently partnering in different areas with
  1. CCFN (Catholic Caritas Foundation of Nigeria).
  2. CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Oversees Development).
  3. CBM (Christian Blind Mission).
  4. CRS (Catholic Relief Services).
  5. UFUK Dialogue Centre.
  6. Embassy of Ireland.

As a politician

  • I am and have been a foundation member of APC and currently, I am a member of the APC Elders Forum in Benue state.
  • I served as a member of the Legal committee of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential campaign organization.
  • I served as Assistant Secretary of the Humanitarian and Welfare committee of the Tinubu/Shetima Grass Roots Independent Campaign Council.
  • I was a member of President Buhari’s Campaign Advisory council in 2015.
  • I was Director of Legal Services on the Governorship campaigns of Governor George Akume in 1998 and 2003, Gabriel Suswam in 2007, Prof Stephen Ugbah in 2011, Ortom in 2015 and Emmanuel Jime in 2019.
  • I have served on many panels and handled several assignments for APC both at the state and National levels.

Other Public Assignments

  • Member of Board of Directors of Federal Medical Centre, Ebute Emeta during which I was the chairman of the establishment committee of the Board.
  • Member Judicial Commission of inquiry into funds accruing/Received and utilization of Benue State funds in 2015
  • Member of several transition committees in Benue state from 2003 to 2023.
  • Member of Governor Alias Bridget Review committee 2023
  • Member of Benue state Assets Recovery committee, 2023.
  • I have participated in many conferences, seminars and workshops including a certification after the workshop on political violence and Election security in Nigeria, organized by the Centre for strategic Research and Studies, National Defense College, Abuja in 2022.

Finally, I am a 4 Degree Knight of St Mulumba, Nigeria and Married with everal children and grand children.