EFCC discovered N6b belongs to Niger State – Gov. Bello

Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State on Friday said the N6 billion discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as proceeds of crime were stolen from Niger State Government account.
The governor made this known to newsmen after joining President Muhammadu Buhari and hundreds of other Muslim faithful to perform the 2-raka’at Juma’at prayer at the Aso Rock Mosque, Abuja.
The EFCC on Thursday said it had uncovered another N2 billion in an account being operated by Kantigi Liman, a former Commissioner of Local Government in Niger State.
It has earlier found N4 billions in other account run by Liman, who was an aspirants for the Peoples Democratic Party governorship ticket in Niger State in the last round of general election.
Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC spokesman, said the money which belonged to the former deputy governorship candidate in Niger State, was discovered following a tip-off by a whistle-blower.
According to Bello, the funds are believed to have been siphoned by the suspects through inflated Hajj subsidies offered by the state government to pilgrims within the periods he (suspect) served as the Chairman of the Niger State Pilgrims’ Agency.
The governor, who commended the EFCC for its efforts in recovering stolen funds, expressed the hope that the recovered N6 billion would be transferred to the state’s accounts to enable his administration embark on developmental projects.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the EFCC towards the recovery of the misappropriated ecological funds by the previous administration in the state.
He said: “I’m aware that the EFCC is investigating the ecological funds.
“At the inception of this administration, we realised that the ecological funds disappeared.
“I did not have any evidence that it was utilised to address any ecological issues and we are faced with major ecological problems, especially in Mokwa, Agaie, Bida, part of Minna, Rafin Gora and Mariga.
“We are doing our best to address the ecological problems.
“We need funds and unfortunately the N2 billion that was given to the state was not judiciously used to address the ecological challenges.
“If it had been used properly, maybe our burden might have been reduced by now, but we are having sleepless nights over ecological issues and we are still approaching the Federal Government to assist us.”
On the discovery of some deposit of Hydro-Carbon and other solid minerals in the state, the governor called for speedy presidential intervention to hasten the exploration and exploitation.
Bello expressed delight over the state of the health conditions of President Buhari, saying: “I’m in the State House to check and we prayed together and he is doing very well.
“I’m happy that I saw him today.”