EFCC quizzes Ortom’s aide over alleged N42m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said its Makurdi Zonal Office has commenced investigations into allegations of misappropriation of N42 million funds involving Lt.-Col. Paul Hembah (rtd).

Hembah is the Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.

Mr Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Oyewale said that Hembah abused his office on July 12, 2019.

He said that the aide transferred N42 million from the official account of his office to his personal bank account and withdrew the same in cash the same day.

“The said sum was meant for disbursement to Benue State Vigilante Group (BSVG).

“The governor’s aide between October 2018 and May 2020 also allegedly abused his office by fraudulently paying the N20 million monthly allocation meant for BSVG into the personal account of the group commandant, George Mbessey, instead of using the official account.

“The alleged offence, if established, violates Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011,” the commission’s spokesperson said.

Oyewale further stated that Hembah, who was quizzed for over six hours on Wednesday, volunteered useful information to EFCC investigators and would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded.

NAN reports that the EFCC on May 27, arrested Mbessey in connection with alleged mismanagement of the N449.5 million meant for the vigilante. (NAN)

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Buy and read digital replicas of your TRIBUNE titles by subscribing through E-VENDING

Buhari Expresses Shock Over Boko Haram’s Attack On Gubio
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep shock at Boko Haram’s attack on Gubio village, Borno State in which the terrorists killed many people. A statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday night by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) said as news of “one the most brutal terrorist… Read full story

Foreign Herdsmen: No Law Stopping Cross-Border Movements ― FG
Despite the menace posed by foreign herdsmen, the Federal Government has said that there are currently no laws preventing cross-border movements. The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who stated this on Wednesday at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, however… Read full story

Police Arrest Man For Raping 40 Women In Kano
The Police Command in Kano State has arrested a 32-year-old man, Muhammad Alfa, for allegedly raping 40 women in the past one year in the state. The Spokesman of the Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday in Kano… Read full story

I Have No Problem With Makinde ― Alaafin
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on Wednesday, said he held no grudge against Governor Seyi Makinde. There had been insinuations that Oba Adeyemi had ill-feeling towards Makinde following the recent siting of a mobile police force squadron in Ago-Are, Oke-Ogun area of the state… Read full story