The Institutional and Systemic corruption bedeviling our Nation is rearing its ugly head in an another worrying dimension in Kogi State. The Governor hiding under vague picture of a Man of integrity cleverly placed his Cousin and close confidant as the Chairman of the most lucrative agency in the state (Kogi State Universal Basic Education Board) SUBEB.
The due through careful planning perfected their strategy to defraud the State of billions through various scams. Apart from the fact that he appointed his cousin without due process and in contravention of the SUBEB act which required that any Chairman must have background as a teacher, Usman Jibrin was appointed.
On assumption of duty as the SUBEB Chair, Jibrin arrogated all powers to himself through threats and direct confrontation. He transferred the Director of DPRS and brought in his close friend and village Man.
The greatest scheme was during the last contract award in which he appropriated 80% of over three hundred jobs to his close relatives and a clique of three Men to helped him execute the jobs and rechanneled the proceeds which he shared with his principal the Governor.
The trio of Maigida the owner of RIO Hotel Okene, Peter Ocheni of Karomsi Hotel Lokoja and the owner of Pacific Hotel Lokoja were the three musketeers that help the Governor and his Cousin in carrying out the nefarious and daylight robbery of Kogi State.
The three had registered various companies with names like Jeora, Reojah, Ameoja, Johato which he gave at least 20 renovation and new classrooms building each. For instance, of the 20 boreholes projects in the 2012 SUBEB action plan, he awarded 15 to RIO Hotel under the company named Vicmason and gave 5 to another of his Friends.
For the first time in the history of the agency, Usman directly issued contract award letters from his office and never observed due process in the award of contract. Contracts were awarded for construction projects that were never captured in the action plan.
Our investigation at the SUBEB office revealed high level of apathy towards the SUBEB Chairman for his high handedness and Constant threat from the Chairman using his close affinity with the Governor. To confirm his authority and closeness to the Governor, Usman drives around in convoy of three vehicles one which is a Prado Jeep from the official fleet of the Governor with Government House plate number.
He now complete his larger than lifestyle with a retinue of mobile policemen and civil defense whom he carries around and even use to harass and intimidate political opponents.
Usman is generally regarded as the Deputy Governor of Kogi State and all efforts by well meaning Kogites to impress on the Governor to remove him fell on deaf ears for obvious reasons. The various failed attempt by the Kogi State House assembly to call him to order failed because he bribed them with cash and contracts.
Piece sent in by Kogi Progressives
