Alleged N4.6bn fraud: EFCC quizzes Benue officials

EFCC officers

Some principal officers of the Benue State Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, alongside consultants, are currently being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an alleged N4.6bn fraud.

It was gathered that the officials, who were picked up about a week ago, are still in custody at the EFCC zonal office in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The EFCC is investigating the alleged diversion of N4.6bn said to be meant for local government councils in the state.

Investigations revealed that the funds were allegedly siphoned through the consultants under the guise of consultancy fees for auditing local government staff, pensioners and Primary Healthcare personnel across the 23 local government councils in the state.

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

Confirming the investigation, a local government chairman who spoke on condition of anonymity said the EFCC was probing consultancy fees allegedly running into N4.6bn.

“The decision to approve the audit of the local governments was taken because of the rot we met on ground. The resolution was reached during our joint meeting,” he said.

According to him, the auditors were engaged to audit local government staff, pensioners, Primary Healthcare workers and personnel of the Local Government Education Authorities.

He added that the auditors commenced work about two weeks ago and were still operating in several councils.

While stating that the audit was ongoing across the 23 local government areas, the chairman said the amount paid for the consultancy varied depending on the workload in each council. Punch