The Benue House of Assembly has summoned Dennis Akura, former special adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia, over the alleged mismanagement of ₦1.78 billion.
Akura is accused of short-changing local governments of funds meant for security purposes.
The summon follows a report by an ad-hoc committee, which indicted Akura for his role in the missing funds.
Akura’s appearance before the house is expected to shed more light on the matter.
The lawmakers have also requested that past local government chairmen appear before the house to provide clarity on the issue.
Akura is expected to appear before the lawmakers on Tuesday. At that hearing, he would explain the disappearance of ₦1.78 billion, which was allegedly mismanaged during his tenure.
The summon follows a motion moved by Thomas Dugeri, a lawmaker representing Kwande West.
His motion came after an ad-hoc committee’s report indicted Akura for his role in the missing funds.
According to Dugeri, Akura’s reactions on social media have been unsavory.
meanwhile, Akura had claimed he was not given a fair hearing and labeled the house report as lacking empirical facts and evidence.
Dugeri expressed concern that Akura’s outbursts on social media had denigrated, maligned, and impugned the resolutions and integrity of the house.
He emphasised that as representatives of the people, the lawmakers were committed to fairness, transparency, equity, and justice.
The lawmaker stated that Akura’s appearance before the house was necessary to explain why he could not refund the ₦1.78 billion, which was allegedly short-changed from various local governments for security purposes.
Local Government Autonomy
Akura’s actions, Dugeri claimed, had compromised the security architecture of the state.
In addition to Akura’s summon, the lawmakers have also requested that all past local government chairmen who served between June 2023 and June 2024 appear before the house.
The directors of general services and administration, treasurers, and security officers of various local governments have also been summoned to appear alongside Akura.
The lawmakers warned government appointees against disparaging and spewing unnecessary invective on honourable members who were carrying out their constitutional duties for the interest of the Benue people.
In a related development, the lawmakers have called for the amendment of the Local Government Law.
they believe it would curtail the powers and excesses of the Bureau of Local Government.
According to them, it would promote local government financial autonomy in line with the Supreme Court judgment on the matter.
