BY Bolanle Olabimtan
The Benue state government has asked anti-corruption agencies to investigate and prosecute George Akume, minister of special duties and intergovernmental affairs, over allegations of fraud amounting to N4. 56billion.
Michael Gusa, the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, in a letter, claimed Akume embezzled the state’s fund while he was governor.
The letter was addressed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the inspector-general of police
Gusa alleged that the former governor unilaterally approved the sum of N117 million which is above his approval limit without recourse to the executive council.
“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,” the letter reads.
“Further findings according to the petition also alleged financial indiscipline, abuse of fiscal policies and misappropriation for various contracts amounting to N3,125,882,409.25 billion.
“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 the 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.
“Regrettably, many of such projects, valued at N1,074,017,023.65 billion were not accounted for as there was no evidence of their execution anywhere.”
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