Prince Abdulkareem Suleiman Onyekehi, the immediate past Focal Person of the Social Investment Program (SIP) in Kogi State, has refuted the allegation of N22 million fraud levelled against his office by an online media.
An Online media; Kogi Today, on Thursday December 5, published a report titled: ”KOGI SIP WORKERS DECRIES MASSIVE FINANCIAL FRAUD OF (#22million) WITHIN 6 MONTHS BY ABDULKAREEM ONYEKEHI FORMER FOCAL PERSON”.
Onyekehi reacting to the publication in a statement on Friday in Lokoja, described the allegation as FALSE, MALICIOUS, FRIVOLOUS, UNFOUNDED and a WHITE LIE from the pit of hell to tarnish his image and good reputation.
”It is quite unfortunate and highly unprofessional for an online reporter to stoop so low to venturing into dirty job by publishing fabricated falsehoods that never existed.
”The malicious publication by ‘Kogi Today’ on December 5, 2019 was a mere calculated attempt by mischief makers to rubbish my name.
”To set the record straight, the Fund for payment of salaries of SIP staff is a subvention fund coming from the 21 Local Government Administrations in the state and it does not come as blanket fund but in piecemeal.
”We paid salaries according to what we received. We have the records from the bank statements and other relevant documents to back up our claim, for proper accountability and transparency,” Onyekehi said.
On the allegation of embezzlement of N10 million for Furniture, Onyekehi urged the petitioner to provide evidence, saying, ”It is a fabricated falsehoods; every fund released was utilised for its purpose with documented evidence.
”Also, I am not aware of any payment of N4.2 million for generator as claim by the petitioner, because I have never applied for purchase of any generator neither do I received any fund for same.
”This has shown that the faceless group and petitioner has no clue of the happenings in the SIP Office”.
Onyekehi stressed that the publication was orchestrated by faceless mischief makers to tarnish his name, describing the reports ”as a sheer act of evil”.
”A clear conscience fears no accusations; we have record of all the financial reports of every kobo that comes to SIP Account for the sake of transparency and accountability.
”I, therefore wish to advise media outfits particularly Kogi Today to always be professional in their reportage and be mindful of what they publish, because this particular publication is mere defamation of character,” he said
Onyekehi, however stressed his determination to get to the root of the false report, and vowed to institute a corresponding legal action against everyone involved in the malicious publication against his person.
