…As auditors’ reports also indict him.
…To refund over N86m immediately.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Group, under the aegis of ‘Corruption Free Initiative Forum’ (CFIF), has called on Kaduna State House of Assembly (KADHA) to uphold the suspension of Kagarko Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Nasara Rabo, pending the outcome of investigation into his purported ‘crimes.’
The Forum also called on relevant Anti-Corruption Agencies to, as a matter of patriotism, deploy their resources to investigate the suspect and ensure that every penny stolen is recovered.
Making the calls Wednesday in a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Ayuba Gambo, the Forum stated that Office of the Auditor-General for LGs Kaduna State, itemized series of offences of the Council Chairman, which included inflation, outrageous and untimely review of contracts sum and paid within two months.
“We, therefore, under the auspices of Corruption Free Initiative Forum call on all relevant Anti-Corruption Agencies to as a matter of patriotism deploy their resources in investigating the suspect; while also calling the State Assembly to uphold his suspension pending outcomes of the investigation.
“This is to prove to all that we are in a State of Law, and you are bound by Law to protect it. Also, to the State Government, the instrument of zero-tolerance for corruption should be wielded on him to serve as deterrence against future saboteurs of our collective patrimony. Such high handedness must be stopped and every penny he stole must be recovered,” Forum stated.
Earlier, the Forum stated that the suspension of Hon. Nasara Rabo “due to some sharp practices regarding abuse of contract regulations and figures manipulations, coupled with non-conformity with standard procedures, has been drawing different opinions.
“Sequel to his suspension, the Auditor -General (AG) Local Government had drawn out series of some of the Chairman’s offences, which included ‘outrageous and untimely review of contracts sum and paid within two months.’
“The contract, according to the AG, said to be reviewed by N86,221,618.26, were awarded on the date of 18/03/2022 and paid on 18/05/2022, respectively.
“The AG also cited lack of deduction of retention money, embarking on direct labour to the tune of N80,329,000.00 without proper documentation and maintenance of projects financial record.
“Subsequently, he was asked to refund the sum of N86,221,618.26 and to submit advance/deposit ledgers of the direct labour for the year 2022 accordingly,” it stated.
Also in a letter addressed to Kagarko Council Chairman, bearing Auditor-General, Atiku Musa (FCNA, ACC-FA), dated 11th September 2023, it stated that the contracts were inflated by N85,221,618.26, adding that the whole contracts sum was paid without due observance to Financial Rules and Regulations such as deduction of retention money.
The letter, with address, ‘2nd Floor, Olusegun Obasanjo House, Yakubu Gowon Way, Kaduna,’ with reference No. OLGA/CORR/KG.12/VOLVII/2699,’ obtained by our correspondent is entitled: ‘Re: Government Council Area Auditor’s Report on Review
of Capital Projects for the period of January 2022 to June 2023.
It reads in parts: “I am in receipt of aforementioned report from the Area Auditor of your Local Government for the period stated above. The following are the observations raised in that report:
“Outrageous and untimely review of contracts sum and paid within two months of award: Out of contracts awarded in the period mentioned above, ten (10) of them (list here attached) awarded in the date of 18/03/2022, were reviewed by N86,221,618.26 and paid on 18/05/2022.
“In other words, you inflated the contracts by N85,221,618.26 and whole contracts sum was paid without due observance to Financial Rules and Regulations such as deduction of retention money.
“Lack of deduction of retention money is an outright violation of financial memoranda. (F M 17.24). (b) You embarked on direct labour to the tune of N80,329,000.00 without proper documentation and maintenance of projects financial records,” it stated.
It added that, “In view of the above serious financial irregularities and fraudulent activities, you are to refund immediately the sum of N86,221,618.26 being contract inflation from the contracts awarded, reviewed and paid within two (2) months.
“You are to submit to my office Advance/Deposit Ledger for the year 2022, payment vouchers and all receipts in respect of said direct labour amounted to N80,329.000.00 and reason(s) that necessitated for embarking on direct labour instead,” it stated.