Court remands Activist Mojekwu over N20bn fraud allegation against Benue govt

The Chief Magistrate Court 1 successful Makurdi, Benue State, has remanded a civilian rights activistic and caput of the Global Integrity Crusade Network, GICN, Mr Uchenna Mojekwu successful situation implicit allegations of N20 cardinal fraud involving Dr Dennis Akura, the Special Adviser to Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, connected Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The Chief Magistrate, Kelvin Mbanongun, ordered Mojekwu’s remand aft refusing to perceive an oral exertion for his bail, instructing his lawyer to record a ceremonial bail exertion instead.

The Police had arraigned Mojekwu earlier the tribunal pursuing his detention by the recently deployed Commissioner of Police successful Benue State, Mr Yabaneth Steve Hassan, implicit a petition against Dr Dennis Akura.

Recall that successful February 2024, GICN, done Mojekwu, submitted a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that the authorities of Alia, done his aide, Akura, authorized and withdrew implicit N20 cardinal from Benue section authorities accounts. The petition included grounds specified arsenic letters signed by assembly chairmen and directors.

The anti-corruption radical besides submitted a transcript of the petition to the Department of State Services, DSS, and the House Committee connected Public Petitions, inviting assorted agencies to analyse the allegation.

DAILY POST gathered done sources that Mojekwu was taken to Chief Magistrate Court 1 connected Thursday, wherever arrangements were made for his contiguous remand successful prison. A Black Maria from the correctional services was reportedly contiguous connected the tribunal premises to transport him.

“And they person made arrangements for him to beryllium remanded successful situation immediately. A Black Maria from the correctional services is already situated connected the tribunal premises to determination him.”

“Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is waiting for them to travel and follow the petition truthful that its probe volition commence,” different root stated.

DAILY POST reported connected Wednesday that the House of Representatives Committee connected Public Petitions had connected February 27, 2024, summoned Akura to reply questions concerning the alleged missing N20 billion.