Date Published: 05/13/09

31st March 2009

The Chairman,

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission [EFCC],

5 Fomella, Street, Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent,

Wuse II,

Abuja.

Dear Madam,

Case of fraudulent diversion of council's funds: Call for probe of the Chairman, Aba North Local Government

The Human Rights, Justice and Peace Foundation [HRJPF] is a not-for-profit organization registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission [CAC] with one of its core objectives as finding solution to societal problems.

In pursuit of its goals, the HRJPF has not spared any pains in crossing swords with any person or institution indulging in corruption and other acts that constitute enmity to the open society. This is because of the HRJPF’s strong belief that an environment devoid of corruption is sine qua non for the realization of the dividends accruable to democratic governance.

In its just concluded assessment of the performances of the Executive Chairman, Aba North Local Government, the HRJPF observed as follows:

That the sum of N5 million appropriated from the first excess crude oil fund in May 2008 for the construction of an office complex at the Uratta Integrated Timber Market, Aba, was diverted;

That the sum of N28 million appropriated from the excess crude oil fund for the upgrading of the Head of Service [HOS] Block to one storey building was diverted; and

That the sum of N20 million overdraft obtained from the First Bank Plc, Factory Road Branch, Aba, for the payment of workers’ salaries in November 2008 during the annual leave of the HOS was diverted.

Accordingly, the HRJPF calls on you to make good use of your offices to investigate the circumstances surrounding the diversion of these funds, with a view to bringing to book the culprits.

Attached are letters to the Executive Chairman, Aba North Local Government and his reply to the HRJPF.

Thank you for your prompt response.

Yours faithfully,

Comrade Chidi Nwosu,

President.