House Of Reps summons Gov Alia’s aide, others as N20bn allegedly disappears from Benue LG funds

The House of Representatives has summoned the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dennis Akura, and others for questioning regarding the alleged embezzlement of N20 billion belonging to the 23 local government councils of the state.

Accompanying Akura will be the Directors-General of Services and Administration (DGSAs) from the 23 local governments, cashiers, and other key staff members of the Benue State Government. They are expected to answer questions regarding gross abuse of office and massive fraud.

Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Special Adviser, Akura, and the other officials are scheduled to be questioned by the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, concerning the missing N20 billion in local government funds.

In the summons letter to the Local Government Bureau Adviser and others, it was stated that the petition will proceed for determination by the Committee even in their absence if they fail to appear on Tuesday.

The letter read in part, “You are hereby required to note Sections 88 and 89 (e) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and appear in person before this Committee on Tuesday, 5th March 2024, at 2.00 pm or as directed by the Committee. If you do not attend the hearing as required, the case may be heard or determined in your absence.”

This summons follows a petition submitted by a pro-democracy and anti-corruption civil society organization, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN).

The group had written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Assembly, demanding the arrest, interrogation, and prosecution of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Special Adviser on Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Akura, and others for the alleged diversion of local government funds.

In the petition also sent to President Bola Tinubu, GICN accused Akura of overseeing the embezzlement and diversion of over N20 billion, which was part of the total Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds allocated to the 23 Local Government Councils in Benue State between June and November 2023.

The group alleged that the Local Government Bureau, under Governor Alia, utilized its staff members and privately-owned companies to siphon funds meant for the local councils in the state.

The group stated, “From the records attached as APPENDIX 2A and 2B, the aggregate FAAC allocation received in the State Joint Local Government Account (SJLGA), maintained pursuant to Section 162(6) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) for onward disbursement to the 23 Local Government Councils within the period under review totals N55, 897,592,592.81 only.”

“Out of the above sum, only N35,849,988,725.37 was disbursed to the 23 Local Government Councils. This left a balance of N20,051,603,867.44, which remains undisbursed, even though the SJLGA is supposed to be a transit account and not a savings account. It happened that Dr. Dennis Akura under the strict directives of Governor Alia, allegedly diverted the aforesaid N35,849,988,725.37 using staff of the Bureau as well as some companies they have registered mainly for that purpose…”

The group urged the House, security agencies, and anti-corruption bodies to ensure that Akura and the others implicated in the petition face justice and are held accountable for their actions.