abuse of office and diversion of public funds to the tune of
N449.5million.
Mbessey, who is the Commandant, Benue State Vigilante Group, BSVG, was
arrested by operatives of the EFCC on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 in Makurdi
following a petition urging the Commission to investigate a case of
alleged financial recklessness against the suspect.
The petitioners stated that, the BSVG used to receive its official
funding of N20million monthly directly from the Bureau of Local
Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through its official account.
It added that, between October 2018 and May 2020, the suspect allegedly
collected funds meant for the Benue State Vigilante Group to the tune of
N449,500,000 (Four Hundred and Forty-Nine Million, Five Hundred Thousand
Naira), using personal account, an act they claim did not follow due
process. Hence, the petition to the EFCC.
Meanwhile, the suspect has volunteered useful information to the
Commission and would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is
concluded.