From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
The Deputy Governor Benue State Dr. Sam Ode has dismissed the allegation of diversion of 20 billion naira local government funds by the Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia administration as a ‘mere fluke’.
Ode, who asserted this position while speaking with members of Correspondents’ Chapel on Thursday, in his office, insisted that the claims are just a figment of imagination of the writers.
Recall that a transparency group known as Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), had in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC called for the arrest and prosecution of the Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Dennis Akura and some of his staff for allegedly diverting 20 billion naira out of the 55 billion naira that has accrued to the local governments between June 2023 to October 2023.
However, the Deputy Governor who stated that the finances of the local government are domiciled under the office of the Governor through the House of Assembly, also noted the joint account is a transit account meant for the benefit of the local governments.
“I see no basis in the allegation as no LG council has come out to say our money is diverted.
“I remember when I was Special Adviser, Bureau for local government ad Chieftaincy Affairs under the Suswam administration, a member of the House of Assembly Hon. Nanevuwua Uhondo has written to the EFCC that I embezzled over 46 billion of local government funds. I personally wrote to the EFCC to come and investigate the claim.
“They came, went the entire 23 local government areas and discovered that there was no missing 46 billion naira anywhere”, he maintained.
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