A former member of the Nigerian House of Representatives from Taraba State, Mr. Emmanuel Bwacha, is now being sought after by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over an alleged misappropriation of 63 million naira ($500,000) meant for the purchase of fertilizer for the state.
The former lawmaker, who was also Commissioner for Agriculture under the administration of Governor Jolly Nyame, is also being investigated by the anti-graft body to establish whether or not the proceeds from the alleged fraud was used in building his multi-million-naira Elohim Hotel, located in the state.
The action of the EFCC followed a petition addressed to its chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, dated March 1, 2007 by one Nehemiah Rimamtari, alleging that the former House of Representatives member misappropriated the money. The EFCC confirmed receipt of the petition and said the former Bwacha would soon be arrested to answer the allegations.
According to the petition, sometime in May 2002 Bwacha allegedly connived with the then Deputy Governor of the state to convert public funds into their personal, hiding under the cover of purchasing fertilizer for farmers in the state. Specifically, Bwacha originated a memo dated May 31, 2002 titled, “Request for funds to purchase assorted fertilizer for 2002 cropping season.” The memo, which was addressed to the former governor of the state, was, however, not delivered to him.
The petitioner alleged that, “the deputy governor, strangely and in breach of all known regulations, proceeded to not only approve an initial sum of N50.4 million ($400,000), a sum far in excess of his approval limit, but also immediately directed that the amount be charged to the fertilizer account of the Poverty Alleviation programme. On May 5, 2002, a second memo was raised by Bwacha requesting for a further approval for the sum of N12, 6 million ($100,000) for the purchase of additional fertilizer.”
In the two transactions, according to the petition, “the normal and official chain of communication was broken. The normal procedure for obtaining approvals of memos are originated by ministers or government departments and forwarded either to the Executive Governor or submitted to the Finance and General Purpose Committee. For requests exceeding N5, 000,000 ($40,000), memos are directed to the State executive council. The sums of N12, 6 million and N50, 4 million exceeded the authority of the deputy governor and ought to have been tabled before the State Executive Council.”
The petitioner attached several documents to his petition to support his allegations, including a copy of the receipt showing the payment of N43, 9 million to Golden Fertilizer Company Limited for the purchase of fertilizer. “The flagrant breach and circumvention of procedure relating to approvals and release of public funds leaves one in doubt about the genuineness of the transactions.”
He is thus asking the EFCC to arrest the former commissioner to provide answers to the nagging questions.
Daily Sun
