Alleged N11bn Diversion: Shema: We Could Not Trace Payment Vouchers To Projects – EFCC

The EFCC had taken Shema alongside three others namely former Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Sani Makana, ex-ALGON Chairman for the state, Lawal Dankaba and former Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Governments, Lawal Rufai, to court over 24 count charges of alleged misappropriation of about N11bn of the state local government funds. Buba, a principal witness III, who was among those that investigated the state finances, said: “when we arrived Katsina, we met with relevant stakeholders and carried on spot assessments following two petitions we received in 2015 and 2015.” In the course of investigation, he said, documents showing payment vouchers from the ministry for local governments to ALGON were uncovered in addition to minutes of meetings allegedly held in 2013 and 204 where it was decided that 10 percent of quarterly allocation of the 34 local government funds be deducted for security and 30 percent monthly for joint projects. According to him, attached to the 14 payment vouchers were receipts and invoices of transactions made by ALGON noting that the addresses mentioned therein on the vouchers could not be traced just the only two we are able to locate were more or else nonexistence as they are not aware of any dealings. The presiding judge, Justice Maikaita Bako, reserved November 12 for ruling on the admissibility or otherwise of the documents and continuation of the case.]]>