November 28, (THEWILL) – Benue State Government has challenged anti-graft agencies to investigate a former governor of Benue state, Senator George Akume, over financial impropriety amounting to N4.56 billion during his tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007.
The alleged fraud ranges from misappropriation of public funds, approvals above limit, abuse of office and public trust. It also includes the sale of 33,440,818 units of shares at the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), valued at billions of naira, without recourse to due process.
A letter of complaint to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) as well as the Inspector General of Police written and signed by counsels to the Benue State Government, Okeoga Darlington Esq, was made available to journalists by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Michael Gusa.
An audit report spanning the period between 1999 and 2007, when Senator George Akume served as governor of the state, indicates that he unilaterally approved the sum of N117 million, which is above his approval limit, without recourse to the State Executive Council meeting.
The reckless financial expenditures was said to be for consultancy and feasibility study for Mbatiav Cement, which turned out to be a white elephant project that never saw the light of the day.
Further findings, according to the petition, also alleged financial indiscipline, abuse of fiscal policies and misappropriation for various contracts amounting to N3.1 billion.
The former governor, who is the current Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, was also accused of misappropriation of ecological funds amounting to over N300 million, which was spent on projects different from ecological projects.
The letter reads in part, “During the audit report, it was also discovered that under the watch of the former Governor, a loan of N150 million was taken from defunct Afri-Bank in December 2000 for purchase of shares in companies, but the money was transferred to All Securities Limited for which no receipts were found for the transaction”.
‘It was also discovered during the audit that former Governor Akume claimed to have executed ‘many projects’ that were never located, which the petition deemed to be an aberration of due process, abuse of fiscal policies and criminal violation of relevant laws”.
The government expressed regret that many of such projects, valued at N1.07 billion were not accounted for as there was no evidence of their execution anywhere.
Efforts made to get Senator Akume’s reaction proved abortive as he could not be reached.
