Professor Ambrose Alli, Ezomo of Ekpoma,was elected as Bendel State’s governor and went on to establish “Bendel State University,” which is today known as “Ambrose Alli University,” in Ekpoma. Alli retired to his family home after leaving office in 1983.After Major-General Muhammadu Buhari’s military regime came to power, a military tribunal found him guilty of embezzling N983,000 for a road project and sentencedhim to 100 years in jail.
After Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, paid a fine to the government, he was eventually released. After Chief Gabriel Igbinedion paid the punishment of one million naira, he was eventually allowed to leave prison. Dr. Ezekiel A. Ainabe hosted him following his release.
In honor of Alli’s sacrifice for the Nigerian people, the Ekpoma Local Government Council unveiled his statue. Dr. Ezekiel A. Ainabe placed a statue in the market square in Eguare, Ekpoma, as a sign of respect and gratitude for the community work. Alli passed away in the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Lagos on September 22, 1989, his 60th birthday, not long after being freed from prison. Later, he was honored with an annual Distinguished Leadership Lecture.
