By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Concerned Citizens of Benue for Good Governance, a pro-democracy group, has submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has again been petitioned to investigate Governor Hyacinth Alia and his officials over alleged money laundering and the diversion of public funds totaling N66 billion, and abuse of office.
This petition by the Concerned Citizens of Benue for Good Governance, a pro-democracy group, marks the second time in less than a week that the EFCC has been approached regarding the alleged embezzlement of public funds by the Alia government.
DAILY POST had reported that a civil group under the aegis of Global Integrity Crusade Network, GICN, an international group of reputable lawyers, had called for the arrest and prosecution of Dennis Akura, the Special Adviser to Governor Alia on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and others, for the alleged diversion of N20 billion belonging to the 23 local governments in the state.
The Concerned Citizens petition alleges that within the first four months of Governor Alia’s tenure, his administration diverted over N46 billion from the state coffers through fictitious contracts and refurbished vehicles, among other projects.
They claim that the contracts were awarded without due process and used as conduits for personal gain.
The group alleged, “What is happening with Benue’s resources under the watch of Governor Alia is worse than a locust.
“Governor Alia has spent a whopping amount of N46 Billion in just four months in office awarding fictitious contracts, none of which is ongoing. Contracts are awarded to cronies without due process.
“In August, the Governor announced that his government had awarded contracts for the construction of 16 township roads in Makurdi at the cost of N6 billion.
“The road projects were yet to start anywhere in the state capital when suddenly, Governor Alia announced that the State Executive Council had given him approval to increase the contract amount for the 16 road projects from N6 billion to N 9 billion.
“The award of these contracts did not follow due process but only done as directed by Governor Alia”, the petition said.
The petitioners also raised concerns over the alleged procurement of buses by the Alia administration, claiming that the vehicles were refurbished and their prices inflated to facilitate the diversion of funds.
They cited instances where billions were released for the procurement of buses and other vehicles without proper oversight.
“On the 5th of September, 2023, Governor Alia released N1,273,875,000.00 (N1.2 billion) for the procurement of 100 refurbished 2017/2016 Hummer buses for palliative measures and 50 fairly used Hilux 2018/2019 model vehicles for other purposes.
“The company known as Lajec Engineering Services Ltd owned by some cronies of the Governor, was given the contract to procure the vehicles.
“Governor Alia again on the 27th of September, 2023, released an additional N736,375,000.00, for an unspecified number of fairly used Hummer buses for palliative measures and fairly used Toyota Hilux (2018/2019 model) for other purposes with the (contract no. BSPPC-43/2023). The job was also awarded to Lajec Engineering Limited.
“Again on the 28th September, 2023, the Alia government again released N 2,236,000,000.00 (N2.2 billion) to Lajec Engineering Services Ltd for the procurement of the same refurbished Hummer buses and some fairly used Toyota Hilux (2018/2019) model vehicles”, the group stated.
The group further accused Governor Alia of freezing all state government accounts while making frequent withdrawals at his discretion, leading to personal accumulation of wealth.
They alleged the purchases of properties in Nigeria and abroad allegedly made by the Governor and his cronies as evidence of this.
“It is worthy to stress that the massive looting of state funds is being diverted for personal and primitive accumulation of wealth as evidenced by the purchase of houses in New GRA, Makurdi, Guzape- Abuja, Maitama and Asokoro.
“And being an American citizen, the Governor has through his cronies bought houses in America.” The group further alleged.
The petitioners are also demanding that the EFCC investigate the Special Adviser to Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dennis Akura and others for alleged diversion of local government funds.
They accused Alia’s government of embezzling N20 billion of local government funds between June and December 2023, stating that the LG Bureau under Government Alia has been using some of its staff and privately-owned companies to siphon the funds meant for local governments in the state.
The Concerned Citizens of Benue for Good Governance demanded a thorough investigation by the EFCC into the allegations and called for accountability in the management of state funds.
Recall that the Benue state government had in a statement issued on Wednesday, and reported by our correspondent on 29th February 2024, denied the report, describing it as a mischievous allegation.
