A Supervisory Councillor in Borno State is in serious trouble with the law after making away with several hundreds of bags of rice.
File photo: An IDP Camp
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has picked up a Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, Umar Ibrahim and four others for allegedly stealing bags of rice donated by Danish Refugee Council, a Non-Governmental Organisation, to the Internally Displayed Persons in the council.
The anti-graft agency in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren discloed that the arrest was consequent upon an intelligence report.
Others arrested along with the councillor are: Bulama Ali Zangebe , Modu Bulama, Halilu Abdullahi and Abacha Ali.
According to some of the suspects, the Caretaker Chairman of Mafa Local Government, Shettima Maina, allegedly instructed the sale of the rice to the duo of Alhaji Lawan Ibrahim of Bolori Stores and Umar Salisu at the rate of N8,500 per bag.
Maina and two other suspects are still at large.
Recall that World Food Programme had urged the EFCC to ensure transparency in the administration of relief to displaced persons.
An Assistant Executive Director, WFP, Roberto DaSilva, urged the EFCC to ensure credibility and accountability in the disbursement of funds and purchase of food items to the North-East.
In a related development, Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State on Wednesday called for prosecution of persons who allegedly diverted 50 bags of rice meant for IDPs in the State.