October 30, (THEWILL) – Some teachers have accused the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Benue State Wing, Comrade Levi Terna Akuma, of gross abuse of office and embezzling union funds to the tune of N304,600 million.
This is just as Comrade Akuma denied knowledge of any wrongdoing, saying all deductions were legitimately carried out in line with the Union’s constitution.
In a petition dated September 28, 2024, and addressed to the Governor of Benue State, the petitioners further alleged that such fraudulent and illegal deductions of teachers’ salaries were done through Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and other related criminals.
The copy of the petition made available to our Correspondent and signed by Comrades Celestine Akiishi; Ternenge Kwadam; Benjamin Kwaghtamen; John Ogbole and Phillip Nyajo, alleged that such deductions were against the laws from 3% of basic salary to 3% of Gross salary of teachers with effect from August 2023 till date, amounting to over N300m.
According to the petition, Comrade Akuma also allegedly collected N200,000 each from the 23 local Government area branches welfare schemes totalling N4,600,000 monthly for his personal use.
“Illegal deduction and collection of N500.00 from each teacher monthly as ICT cost of printing pay slips amounting to millions of Naira against the wishes of the Benue Teachers as well as the enabling laws”.
They explained that there is a Court order from the Industrial Court, Benue Division, directing Comrade Akuma to effect refunds on monthly dues from June, July and August 2024 which are the most current illegal dues deductions.
The group further accused the chairman of what they described as harbouring Caretaker Committee members in Ukum, Gwer West and Ohimini local Government area branches and controlling and exploiting teachers against their wishes.
“Comrade Akuma is also harbouring some retired teachers at the State Executive Committee for his personal gain against the civil service rules on retirement, where their continued accommodation in the service brings burden on the salary wage bill of teachers in the state”.
The retired teachers benefitting from such illegality, according to the petitioners are, Simon Kaor from Logo, as State Auditor 1, Nathaniel Okponike as State Deputy Chairman from Obi, Henry Hinga from Gwer East as Auditor, Ada Eigege as Oturkpo branch chairman and Ambrose Alechenu.
While they prayed to Governor Hyacinth Alia to direct SUBEB to stop further deductions of checkoff dues from teachers’ salaries, it called on him to equally compel Comrade Akuma to fully refund various sums deducted to the affected victims.
The petitioners also prayed the governor to compel Comrade Akuma to conduct elections in Ukum, Gwer East and Ohimini NUT branches, as well as change the venue for the forthcoming State delegates Confidence from Gboko to Makurdi for a more secure environment.
In a swift reaction, Comrade Akuma described such allegations as a calculated attempt by his detractors to seek unnecessary attention, especially since the next elective delegates conference is around the corner and he is seeking a second term of office.
According to him, some of the authors of the petition are teachers of questionable characters who are still under suspension.
He said one Celestine Akiishi had misappropriated the sum of N13.1m while serving as Branch chairman of Makurdi local Government area which led to his suspension by the union.
Comrade Akuma explained that dues from members are deducted at source from SUBEB and remitted directly into the Union’s account which the State Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer must sign to withdraw from the Bank for the purpose it is meant.
On the allegation of fixing the forthcoming delegates’ Conference in Gboko in order to gain an advantage, Comrade Akuma stated that such a decision was taken in Oturkpo about four years before he was elected into office as chairman.
He commended Benue teachers for standing by him and is counting on all to get reelected so as to consolidate the gains he has posted in the past four years.
