EFCC investigates N100bn technical colleges contract fraud in Benue

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has commenced investigation of contracts fraud amounting to N100 billion in Benue State.

A highly placed official of the anti-graft agency in the zonal confirmed.the investigation to journalists in Makurdi, stressed that the amount was likely to be above N100 billion, if more contracts would come forward.

Advertisements

Advertisements

He dismissed rumours making the round that the alleged fraud exceeded N200 billion, insisted that the exact has not been confirmed, though preliminary findings has revealed fairly above N100 billion.

He said the agency has identified more than 60 contractors in connection with the scam and being invited to provide useful information.

Advertisements

At the centre of the investigation is one, Mr Lawrence Kyuka, who claimed to be a facilitator between government and contractors and had allegedly collected millions of naira from contractors under the guise of facilitating government-approved projects for the construction of technical colleges across the state.

The source said contractors paid one percent of their purported contract sums as a processing or “vetting fee” to facilitate the projects.

Among the government officials whose alleged roles are being examined are the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Rev. Frederick Ikyaan, who was Commissioner for Education when the alleged transactions began; the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yangien Ornguga; the current Commissioner for Education, Mrs Margaret Adamu; and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs Helen Nambativ.

Commissioner.for Justice, Yangien Ornguga, and Reverend Ikyaan rejected who are top officials of the Hyacinth Alia government would not respond to their calls.

However, the EFCC source said investigations had established that although the state government had approved the establishment of more technical colleges in Benue, the specific contracts under investigation have not received the approval from Governor Hyacinth Alia or the State Executive Council (SEC), for construction.

The source further alleged that the contractors were encouraged to make the payments after receiving bank account details reportedly provided through the Office of the Attorney-General for the collection of the one percent vetting fees.

The Commission is said to be examining a letter allegedly signed by the Attorney-General, Prof. Ornguga, which contained the account details, to establish the circumstances surrounding its issuance and the subsequent payments.

Kyuka allegedly reinforced the contractors’ confidence by claiming to have close access to Governor Alia and assuring them that the projects would be facilitated and payment made upon completion.

Acting on these assurances, the contractors reportedly mobilised to their respective sites and commenced work with personal funds, expecting reimbursement by the government.

However, disputes reportedly emerged when the contractors encountered difficulties securing payment for work executed, prompting complaints that eventually drew the attention of the anti-graft agency.

The EFCC source confirmed that four government officials and other persons connected with the transactions had been interrogated as investigators sought to establish their respective roles in the alleged contract arrangements and determine whether due administrative procedures were followed.

The commission is also reportedly examining the financial exposure of the affected contractors and the circumstances under which they were persuaded to undertake the projects.

The source said the investigation remained ongoing, adding that the commission had yet to reach a final conclusion on the allegations or establish the culpability of any of the persons mentioned.

Advertisements

Advertisements