EFCC Probes Local Govt Ex-Chairman Over Alleged N329million Misappropriation
Labasa, the former Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) Chairman of Edu Local Government Area, is accused of mismanaging funds, including physical cash and internally generated revenue, between March 18, 2021, and May 24, 2024.
The probe follows a petition filed by one Alhaji Mohammad Al-Hassan to the EFCC’s Zonal Director, who accused Labasa of financial irregularities, abuse of due process in contract awards, and interference by the state government in local government allocations and intervention funds.
Meanwhile, a source disclosed that Dr Alimi Abdulrasaq, the senior brother of Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, was reportedly seen at the EFCC office concerning Labasa’s case.
In a petition filed to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by Al-Hassan, obtained by SaharaReporters, the petitioner requested an investigation, accountability, and recovery of Three Hundred and Twenty-Nine Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦329,500,000.00) allocated for physical projects and internally generated revenue of Edu Local Government Area, Kwara State.
The petition alleged that the funds were misappropriated by the Transition Implementation Committee Chairman, Malam Mohammad Aliyu (aka Labasa), during his tenure from March 18, 2021, to May 24, 2024.
The statement read, “I Alhaji Mohammed Mariam Al-Hassan, Muslim, Adult, Male, Nigeria citizen, of Late HRH Kpoto Abubakar Kolo Royal House, Tsaragi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State do hereby depose in good faith, and in exercise of my fundamental human rights and civil responsibility as guaranteed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended), and in the spirit of being a primary Stakeholder from Edu Local Government Area, who is rightfully entitled to demand for accountability from our public office holders that this petition on the above subject matter is written and submitted before your good office for prompt positive action accordingly.
“Contrary to the section 7 (1) and Section 14(1) of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mal. Abdulrasaq Abdulrahman, (CON), dissolved the Sixteen (16) elected Local Government Area Council Chairmen and replaced them with illegally appointed Transitional Implementation Committee (TIC).”
It said, “Thus, Mal. Mohammad Aliyu aka Labasa and six others, were appointed as the Transitional Implementation Committee (TIC) Chairman for Edu Local Government Area.
Others are, Hon Daniel Easther Kashi (Vice Chairman), Hon Engr (Alh) Ndakpoto Abu Suleiman (Secretary), Hon Mohammed Ibrahim (Super health), Mohammed Nmayan Ahmed, (Super Education),Hon Zainab Abdullahi Dada (Super Works) and Hon Tauheed Suleiman (Super Agric).
Al-Hassan alleged that under the direction of Mal. Mohammad Aliyu, alias Labasa, the Edu Local Government Area Council received and released the following funds (money) for the purpose of implementing physical projects during their tenure as TIC, which ran from March 18, 2021, to May 24, 2024.
He mentioned the projects as follows: In June 2021, N5 million was allocated, with no formal FGPC deliberations, claimed to be used for the burial of the late Emir of Lafiagi.
“In July 2021, N10 million was allocated for the completion of the ongoing Bindofu Clinic in Lafiagi, and in August 2021, N15 million was allocated for the rehabilitation of the Shonga and Tsaragi markets and the provision of boreholes.
Al-Hassan alleged that in September 2021, N15 million was allocated for the rehabilitation of Edogi Dukun Health Clinic in Ward Four, Lafiagi Emirate.
He also stated that in October 2021, N15 million was allocated for the completion of the ongoing Bokungi/Kenta project in Ward Three of Lafiagi Emirate, at a total cost of N28 million.
The statement explained that in November 2021, N10 million was spent on the Bukungi/Kenta ongoing electrification project. In August 2022, N5 million was allocated for the provision of solar lights at Effagi (TIC Chairman’s village), the Council Secretariat, and the Chairman’s quarters.
In November 2022, N30.5 million was allocated for the provision of 100 solar lights, with 40 for Lafiagi and 30 each for Shonga and Tsaragi Emirates, respectively.
“In December 2022, N30 million was allocated for the provision of 200 solar lights across the local government area, with 80 pieces for Lafiagi Emirates and 60 pieces each for Shonga and Tsaragi Emirates, respectively.
Al-Hassan also alleged that in July 2023, N30 million was allocated for the purchase of a borehole drilling machine, the rehabilitation of the health department laboratory, the computer center, and the purchase of computers.”
“September, 2023, N100 million, Grading of One Road per District, Building of two blocks of class (one per District) and drilling and installation of motorized boreholes (one per Ward). In April, 2024, N2 million, Boreholes repairs,” the petition read.
Al-Hassan said that, according to the Establishment Rules and Regulations, the Financial and General-Purpose Committee (F&GPC) is the administrative authority responsible for deciding the actual location of projects and authorizing the necessary funding to carry them out.
He alleged, however, that the operational services in Edu Local Government Area did not reflect this.
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“Consequently, the Funds that were realized and released for physical projects execution were diverted for their personal use.”
Al-Hassan’s prayer in the petition seeks to ensure that justice on the subject matter is served accordingly.
Meanwhile, allegations have emerged that the state government, through the Attorney General’s office, is attempting to influence the investigation and suppress further disclosures.
When SaharaReporters contacted the former Edu TIC Chairman, Mohammed Aliyu, popularly known as Labasa, he confirmed that he was invited by the EFCC but denied the allegations.
Labasa said, ” It is not true because, I am a former TIC chairman Edu local government area of Kwara State.
“And, what they are saying is not true, I did not know where they get that amount of that money. You understand? When they called me in EFCC, and I tried my possible best. I let them know If you people want to know the detail of what is going on in Edu local government, you should call the treasurer, which is the key with all the documents.
“So I believe all the necessary thing they want to understand, they want to know, we’ll try our possible best to do that explanation to them. That is why I said it is not true.
“Every document is in the council record whatever anybody want to know, they can go to the council and confirm. And that is part of what I’m also explained to the EFCC. And when they call them, I think they satisfy all their need, and that is why they released me.”
When asked if he was detained, he replied, “Yes.”They want to they want to know the information and me too I like it in that way.
“I gave them all the necessary thing, all they want to know. I want to get the facts so that after when I left, nobody’s call and say another thing. So the day that my treasurer, cashier come, that’s the day that they leave me because I believe they’ve satisfied all the needs they want,” Labasa added.
Meanwhile, when SaharaReporters contacted the spokesperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ilorin Zonal Command, Ayodele Babatunde, he stated that he was not aware of any such petition.
“Sorry. I’m not aware. I don’t have any brief on that. If he is actually invited we’ll make a release and since we didn’t make a release, I don’t have any brief on that,” he said.
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