The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has detained four former commissioners of Kogi State, who served under former Governor Idris Wada.
The spokesperson of the ICPC, Rasheedat Okoduwa in a statement on Thursday said the commissioners arrested include that of Culture and Tourism, Kayode Olowomoran; Transport, Abdulrahman Wuya; Works, Onama Godwin; and Budget and Planning, Ali Ajuh.
She said they were being investigated over allegations that they acted in connivance with the former Governor Idris Wada, former Accountant-General, Ibrahim Idakwo and a former Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Commerce, Frank Onoja to misapply the state funds.
She explained that they were alleged to have obtained a N2billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the state which was misapplied.
She said, “Preliminary investigations by the Commission also revealed that the suspects allegedly partook in the mismanagement of another N8 billion bond that was raised to fund 57 projects across the state. The large sums of monies released for the projects were allegedly far beyond the levels of work done.”
“Furthermore, the suspects are alleged to have benefitted from illegal deductions to the tune of N1.3 billion made from the funds of 21 local government councils of the state by the same administration,” She added.
She said, as investigations continue, the suspects will remain in custody until they fulfill the administrative bail conditions granted them by the Commission.
Credit: Daily Trust
