The Benue State Government has denied allegations that a federal allocation of N20 billion was diverted to local governments.
According to the Platinum Times, the Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN) claimed that the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, directed his Special Adviser on Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Dr. Denis Akura, to divert the funds.
The state government responded with a statement on Wednesday.
According to him, the GICN report was aimed at misleading “the unsuspecting members of the public with bogus fallacious claims designed to discredit and distract the Alia administration”.
Akura further stated that from June through to October 2, 2023, he was not at the helm of affairs at the bureau, insisting that making references to him within that period only “exposes the mischievous intent behind GICN’s false allegations.”
The statement further said that the management of the bureau does not have the mandate to share palliatives or Christmas relief materials as alleged in a section of the media.
Decrying GICN’s allegations, Akuka stated that more of such reports were to be expected, and “we are expecting more to come in the nearest future, especially now that the Alia administration’s reforms in various sectors of government continue to gather steam.”