Dennis Akura: Benue Assembly summons ex-gov’s aide over disappearance of N1.78bn

The Benue State House of Assembly has summoned Dr. Dennis Akura, a former Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, over allegations of a missing N1.78 billion.

Dr. Akura is expected to appear before the Assembly next Tuesday to provide explanations and refund the unaccounted-for funds during his tenure at the bureau.

The decision followed a motion moved by Mr. Thomas Dugeri, the lawmaker representing Kwande West. The motion was based on the findings of an ad-hoc committee that investigated the financial records and operations at the local government level between June 2023 and June 2024.

According to the committee’s report, Akura was implicated in the mismanagement of N1.782 billion, which the Assembly has directed him to return to the state’s coffers.

Dugeri also expressed concern over Akura’s social media comments, in which he allegedly denigrated and maligned the resolutions and integrity of the Assembly, referring to lawmakers with unprintable names.

The lawmaker warned government appointees against disparaging the Assembly, emphasizing that its actions are guided by constitutional duties to protect the interests of the Benue people.