Adetokunbo Fakeye

London, Nov. 30, 2017 (AltAfrika)-In continuation of fight against corruption in Nigeria, one of the country anti-graft agencies, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, ICPC, has arrested four former Commissioners in Kogi State of Nigeria under the defunct administration of ex-Kogi State Governor, Capt. Idris Ichalla Wada on the allegations of misapplication of government funds and abuse of office.

According to information available to Alternative Afrika, ex-Commissioners who include that of Culture and Tourism, Kayode Olowomoran; Transport, Abdulrahman Wuya; Works, Onama Godwin; and  Budget and Planning, Ali Ajuh  were arrested after the commission commenced investigations into allegations that the suspects, acting in connivance with the former Governor, former Accountant-General, Ibrahim Idakwo and a former  Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Commerce, Frank Onoja, had obtained a N2billion Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the state which was misapplied.

Information from ICPC revealed that preliminary investigations by the Commission indicated 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.

As investigations continue, the suspects will remain in custody until they fulfill the administrative bail conditions granted them by the Commission.