From Joseph Uchenna, Makurdi
Key officials of Benue State Government have been apprehended and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for allegedly siphoning and diverting 4.6 billion naira local government funds.
Investigation revealed that the officials including the Permanent Secretary Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Mr. Ayu Terna, Permanent Secretary, and Bishop Dzungwe, Director of Finance and Administration, alongside two consultants, Mr. Abba Adaudu and Nongomi Ter Joshua, have been in EFCC custody for the past two (2) weeks for misappropriating 4.6 billion naira
The funds were allegedly siphoned through the consultants under the guise of consultancy fees for auditing local government officials, pensioners and Primary Health Care personnel across all 23 local government councils in the state.
Also, picked up was the Chairman of the Benue State chapter of Association of Local Government of Nigeria ALGON and Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, Hon. Vitalis Neji, who was also grilled for several hours at the EFCC zonal office before leaving late in the night.
It was learnt that all 23 local government chairmen had been invited to account for their roles in the scandal, while Directors of General Services and Treasurers have already been questioned.
Further investigation showed that one of the consultants is at large while the government officials have promised to do restitution and return the funds they embezzled.
It was also gathered that several calls were made to the fleeing consultant but all he tells the commission is ‘I will come around’ . He has promised to be around on Wednesday (tomorrow).
The State Commissioner for Justice and Public Order and Attorney-General Barr Yangien Ornguga was instructed to secure release of the detained officials but all his efforts proved abortive as the Commission insisted they must answer questions for their acts.
This is just as the officials who had planned to return to their offices to change documents were initially denied bail.
However, it was learnt that their bail was being processed yesterday (Monday) even as they may face prosecution.
