Police arrest four persons who sucked Benue State treasury dry

Four more persons indicted by the Elizabeth Kpojime Judicial Commission of Inquiry for alleged looting of the Benue State treasury have been arrested by the Police and taken to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

Those arrested are former Permanent Secretary, Local Government and Pension Board, Andy Uwouku, former Accountant of the Board, Paul Chile, former Accountant, Local Government Service Commission during Richard Gbande’s tenure, Moses Burya and former Cashier of SUBEB, Jacob Ageva.
The leader of the investigation team from the police headquarters who did not want his name mentioned, explained that the Police arrested Andy Uwouku over illegal withdrawal of millions of naira at Keystone Bank Plc, Makurdi branch – an account he opened for the Pensions Board to which he was sole signatory.

He said the police were investigating Uwouku for alleged diversion of pensions money and converting it to personal use.

The former Accountant of the Pension Board, Paul Chile is being investigated for allegedly conspiring with Uwouku to convert pensioners’ money to their own use.

The leader of the investigation team further explained that the former Accountant, Local Government Service Commission, Moses Burya who was arrested with many fake receipts and receipts of a non-existent consultancy firm was said to have defrauded the Benue State Government of millions of naira under the pretext of training of local government staff.

The former Cashier of SUBEB, Jacob Ageva was arrested over alleged fraud in the payment of teachers’ salaries from 2011 and 2015.

When contacted, the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Bashir Makama confirmed the arrest, adding that the matter was being handled at the Force Headquarters.

Also speaking, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Michael Gusa who similarly confirmed the arrest, explained that the State had reported those indicted by the Kpojime Judicial Commission of Inquiry to EFCC, ICPC and the Police, pointing out that the arrest was in continuation of investigation as the affected persons will later be arraigned in court with a view to recovering the looted funds.

He urged the people of the state to support the Ortom administration to recover Benue’s wealth stolen by the immediate past administration as the funds would help in the development of the state.

Source: Radio Benue reports.
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