By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The word “Honourable” in its truest meaning has nothing to do with those who peddle the title within the political spheres. This is because there is absolutely nothing ‘honorable’ about most Nigeria politicians whose sole intent of seeking elective position is to leverage on such positions to amass illegal wealth.
This is truer with the allegation of untamed embezzlement and siphoning of Local Government fund leveled against the Administrator, Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State, Hon. Muhammed Dan’Asabe Muhammed, by Kogi State Movement For Good Governance, (KSMFGG).
Recall that the Kogi State Government has recently devised a framework that would now enable Local Government Council Administrators to assess monies meant for the third tier of government.
The idea was to enable the people at grassroots to feel the impact of governance as it is believed that the monies, when deployed to grassroots development, would fare the people better.
But that dream seems far from being realized, going by the case of massive embezzlement, spending spree and diversion of the said funds by Muhammed Dan’Asabe Muhammed, according to information exclusively obtained by this online medium.
In a petition by the KSMFGG, with Ref No. KG/MFGG/VOL.IV/391 dated 20th February, 2020, signed by the Chairman, Alhaji Inusa Yakubu, the leadership has accused the LG Administrator of financial impropriety, incessant withdrawal of council funds for personal use as follows:
That the sum of five million naira released by the council as grant aides for Adankolo and Lokongoma Universal Basic Education Secondary Schools in the Administrator’s name was not handed over to the school authorities.
That the N5million released to him for the payment of office furniture was not remitted to the supplier and the supplier now kept threatening to sue the council for unpaid contract.
The group further accused the Administrator of using some of his aides to steal N2,600,000 which he claimed to have used to purchase motorcycles, refrigerators and other items for empowerment.
The procurement of the empowerment items, according to KSMFGG, was not only fraudulent but the Administrator’s way of fleecing the council with fictitious and non-existent projects.
Furthermore, the group accused Hon. Muhammed of contracting revenue collection to members of his families who in turn pay the monies collected into his personal accounts.
All efforts to reach the Administrator was not successful as his known