Drama as three N49m SUVs disappear from Bank of Agric

Hassan only presented a letter from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, which authorised the withdrawal of the money from Agricultural Mechanization Fund to procure the vehicles.

His inability to show concrete evidence that the Jeeps were on ground further shocked the lawmakers.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Urhoghide, wondered how the MD could have paid for the vehicles without seeing them in the first instance.

The AuGF’s query reads: “The  Bank expended the  sum  of  N49,026,333.32 from  the Agricultural Mechanization  Fund specifically  meant for lending to operators, on various unrelated projects.

“For instance, the sum of N23,122,095.24  was  paid to a motor dealer through payment  voucher number  0103576 dated 29th  September, 2015 for the purchase of two  Toyota  Prado  Jeeps.

“Similarly, the sum of N25,904,238.08 was  paid  to another motor dealer for purchase of  Ford  Ranger Jeeps vide payment voucher number 0103579 of 29th September, 2015.

“These  purchases  were purportedly made  as  project vehicles for the Agricultural Mechanization Programme. The management  of the Bank could  not justify the choice and  the  use  of these exotic vehicles for  supervision. The vehicles  could also not be produced for inspection during the periodic check.

“The Managing Director should  be  compelled to account  for all  the stated motor vehicles, or  refund to Government the sum  of  N49,026,333.32.”