Alleged diversion of N73bn: LG chairmen petition ICPC

THE 23 local government chairmen in Imo State have petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged diverted and misappropriation of about N73 billion  statutory allocation meant for local governments in the state by Governor Rochas Okorocha and some government officials.

In the petition  addressed to the chairman of the anti-graft agency and exclusively obtained by the Nigerian Tribune, the chairmen alleged that “the Imo State House of Assembly, in a house resolution, gave approval for the governor of Imo State to borrow N45 billion from Zenith Bank Plc. The said sum was borrowed using Imo Local Government statutory allocation as collateral for a three-year tenure.

“Another sum of N28 billion was approved by the Imo State House of Assembly and the said sum was also borrowed from Diamond Bank Plc with Imo Local Government statutory allocation as collateral for three years”.

The chairmen further alleged, monies meant for projects at the local government level were withdrawn and misappropriated by the 27 former Local Government Transition Committee chairmen and that it was discovered that the Head of Works Department of the 27 local governments provided no evidence for any project carried out.

They further alleged that,”it is our collective knowledge that almost a year now a large chunk of the allocations meant for the local government from the federation account is being deducted at the source by Zenith Bank Plc and Diamond Bank Plc in repayment of the aforesaid jumbo loan grant which is under serious misappropriation with the then Transition Committee chairmen signing out their blue forms provided for them by the governor evidencing receipt of their allocations with little or nothing on ground except staff salaries which are being paid irregularly.

“It is on record that the above catalogue of withdrawals, misappropriation, disregard to public procurement rules happened under the nose of the Accountant General of Imo state.”

“The above functionaries are also to explain heat happened to over # 57 billion recieved as statutory allocation to Imo state Local Government from the Federation Account from June 2011 to 2012.”

When contacted the spokes person of the commission, Folu Olamiti confirmed the petition adding that the chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ekpo  Nta has directed that the allegation be investigated.