By Our Correspondent
The Kaduna State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) remains embroiled in controversy over an alleged fraudulent withdrawal of N3 million from its Keystone Bank cooperative account, with no clear resolution from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) three months after the issue was raised.
The Fraud Allegation
The scandal began when a suspicious N3 million credit alert was received in the union’s account, followed by a withdrawal of the same amount without the knowledge or consent of the account’s authorized signatories. The council’s secretary, Gambo Santos Sanga, formally petitioned the EFCC on September 2, 2024, demanding a thorough investigation.
Union members, angered by the lack of clarity, raised the issue at a recent congress, leading to heated debates and accusations of leadership complicity. The controversy prompted some journalists to visit the EFCC Kaduna office for answers, but they were advised to wait for the conclusion of a forensic investigation.
Bank and EFCC Responses
A Keystone Bank official, Emmanuel Ogunye, dismissed the possibility of funds being withdrawn without the consent of the account holders, citing strict protocols. He added that transactions that fail would not reflect on the account statement.
The EFCC spokesperson in Abuja, Mr. Dele Ayewale, declined to comment, citing the absence of an officially acknowledged petition.
Union Treasurer’s Defense
Union treasurer Nicholas Dekera claimed the credit alert was fake and dismissed accusations of complicity. In a heated exchange on a union chat forum, he accused critics of orchestrating the scam, adding, “Thank God the EFCC were factual, they also confirmed it was scammers’ alert.”
Dekera’s defense escalated into personal attacks, accusing a journalist who questioned him of blackmail and fake news, referencing the journalist’s past investigative reports that led to both acclaim and legal troubles.
Suspicious Circumstances
Members have expressed suspicion over how the withdrawal allegedly occurred. The funds were reportedly accessed using a court affidavit by the purported sender, bypassing the account signatories. This has fueled speculation of an internal compromise.
Next Steps
The controversy has deepened divisions within the Kaduna NUJ council, with calls for transparency and accountability. Union members and the public await the EFCC’s forensic findings to determine the true nature of the transaction and those responsible for the alleged fraud.
