N3.7B Diversion: ICPC Questions Plateau Government Officials

PHOTO: PLATEAU STATE COMMISSIONER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, MR CHRIS HASSAN.

JOS, August 26, (THEWILL) - The Plateau State Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Chris Hassan, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry and the Accountant General of the state have reported at the Abuja office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) to explain their role in the alleged diversion of over N3.7 billion from the local government joint account of the state.

THEWILL gathered that the ministry had made various withdrawals totaling about N3.7 million from the joint account.

Three officials of the state government who are direct custodians of the local government joint account were invited by the ICPC.

The trio had been at the ICPC office since Monday trying to explain how the money was diverted without the knowledge of local government chairmen.

The Plateau state House of assembly has also opened a probe into the matter.

THE WILL learnt that the Commissioner earlier submitted a written response to the ICPC claiming that the money was withdrawn with the full knowledge and consent of the local government chairmen.

But the ICPC had asked the trio to stay behind to explain one after the other what they know about the diversion.

The ministry of local government had to suspend its tour of local government projects in order to honour the ICPC invitation.

It is not clear for how long the officials would be in Abuja as staffers of the ministry feigned ignorance of the development when our correspondent visited the ministry.