EFCC grills Benue officials over alleged N4.6bn scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained top officials of the Benue State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, alongside consultants, over an alleged diversion of N4.6 billion meant for the state’s 23 local government councils.

The officials, who were picked up about a week ago, are still being held at the EFCC zonal office in Makurdi, as investigations intensify into the alleged misappropriation of the funds.

Our correspondent gathered that those detained include the Permanent Secretary of the bureau, Ayu Terna; the Director of Finance and Administration, Bishop Dzungwe; and two consultants, Abba Adaudu and Nongomi Ter Joshua.

It was learnt that the funds were allegedly siphoned through consultancy arrangements purportedly approved for the audit of local government staff, pensioners, Primary Health Care workers and Local Government Education Authority personnel across the state.

Chairman of the Benue State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council, Vitalis Neji, was also grilled for several hours by EFCC operatives before leaving the office late at night.

It was further learnt that all 23 local government chairmen have been invited by the anti-graft agency to account for their roles in the matter, while Directors of General Services and Treasurers from the councils have already been questioned.

Confirming the probe, one of the local government chairmen, who preferred anonymity, told journalists in Makurdi that the EFCC was investigating consultancy fees allegedly amounting to N4.6 billion.

The council chairman said that the decision to audit the councils was jointly taken during a meeting of the chairmen after discovering irregularities on the ground.

The Benue State Commissioner for Finance, Michael Oglegba, also confirmed the arrest of the officials to journalists, saying the state government would not interfere with the EFCC investigation.

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