By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Barely two weeks after the Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi Zonal Office arrested and detained, the Commandant, Benue State Vigilante Group (BSVG), Mr. George Mbessey over allegation of conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds to the tune of N449.5 million, the anti-graft said it arrested, Lt. Col Paul Hembah (rtd), the Special Adviser to Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom on Security.
The statement released by the Zonal Head, Media and Publicity, Ayodele Babatunde, Hembah was quizzed over alleged N42 million fraud.
According to the commission, the Governor’s aide had on July 12 2019 transferred the aforesaid amount from his office to his personal account and withdrew the sum on the same day.
The statement reads in part: ‘The said sum was meant for disbursement to the Benue State vigilante group”. Continuing it stated that the governor’s aide between October 2018 and May 2020 also allegedly abused his office by fraudulently paying the N20 million monthly allocation meant for Benue State Vigilante Group into personal account of the Commandant of the group, George Mbessey, instead of using the official account of the group.
According to the anti-graft agency, “the alleged offence if established, violates the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011”.
He noted that the Security Adviser who was quizzed for six hours, volunteered useful information that would aide the investigation and would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations were concluded.
