The administration of former governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has dismissed the allegation of siphoning N19.6billion of local government funds as a joke to ease the COVID-19-induced boredom.
A top functionary of the administration, Chief Mayor Eze made the remark in a statement on Wednesday.
Eze, who served as Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs said those who made the allegation could not have been serious.
According to him, the said N19.6billion represented 60% of the entire allocation of the local government during the administration hence could not have been embezzled.
Eze explained that a company, Wall House Limited which was awarded a contract to supply earth-moving equipment to the 27 local government areas was paid N945million before the Ihedioha administration wound up in January, this year.
He said the company had supplied 17 pieces of the items to the incumbent administration of Sen. Hope Uzodinma, adding that equipment are parked presently at Hero’s Square in Owerri.
The former Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Imo State denied making what the Uzodinma administration termed “unconscionable mandatory withdrawal of N2.405billion.
He also denied payment of N9.378billion to local government councils for undisclosed purposes, adding that his office did not know Anyama and Co not to talk of paying Anyama and Co the sum of N245million for no disclosed purpose.
Eze submitted that there was also nothing like N2.404billion compulsory kickback from the local government councils to his office.
He described as total fabrication and falsehood the allegations leveled against the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs when he superintended it.
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