From Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi
The Benue State Government is facing allegations of a contract scam involving more than N100 billion in the proposed construction of technical colleges across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The alleged fraud reportedly involves some top government officials accused of manipulating the contract award process and collecting payments from contractors under the guise of facilitating the projects.
Findings indicate that the officials allegedly linked to the controversy include the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mrs Nambatiav; the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Dr Frederick Ikyaan; the Accountant-General, Professor Timothy Ornguga; and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Yangien Ornguga.
The report further alleges that shortly after Governor Hyacinth Alia announced the establishment of technical colleges across the three senatorial districts, contracts were awarded without adequate consultation and the necessary approvals.
It was also alleged that those involved operated a separate account into which contractors were instructed to pay agreed percentages.
Sources further claimed that some of the officials were detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and subsequently released on bail.
A senior EFCC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reportedly confirmed that the alleged financial misconduct was under investigation.
The source, however, said Governor Hyacinth Alia was not aware of the alleged contract awards, which were said to be worth more than N100 billion.
The official added that the investigation was ongoing and that those implicated were being invited to clarify their alleged involvement in the matter.
According to the source, no individual would be spared if found culpable, regardless of their position, stressing that the law would be allowed to take its course.
The source also alleged that a man identified as Lawrence Akuga, described as an outsider who allegedly acted as an intermediary, facilitated the process by introducing companies said to have been used for the contract awards.
It would be recalled that some senior government officials were reportedly arrested and detained before being released on bail.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Yangien Ornguga, were unsuccessful, as several calls to his mobile telephone were not answered.
Text messages sent to him also received no response as of the time of filing this report.
