EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde

Chiemelie Ezeobi

Based on a petition from Transparency and Good Governance Coalition in Abuja, the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos is investigating the allegation of N78 million fraud currently rocking the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

In a statement made available to THISDAY, the Public Relations Officer for SFU, Ngozi Isintume, an assistant superintendent of police, said the charges were leveled against the speaker, Hon Kombowei Benson and 18 other honourable members of the House.

She said, “The CP Tunde Ogunsakin is currently investigating a case of conspiracy, misappropriation and conversion of N78million public funds leveled against the speaker and 18 other members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

“In a petition submitted by Transparency and Good Governance Coalition, Abuja, the group alleged that the suspects requested for approval of N78 million from the governor to attend the 43rd Common Wealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Africa Regional Conference in South Africa from  June 29, 2012 to July 8, 2012.

“It was further alleged that the Speaker and other members of the state House of Assembly did not attend the conference rather they converted public fund to their personal purse.”

Isintume said investigations so far revealed that indeed the Speaker, leading other 18 members, including his deputy, with the exception of Hon. Omonibeke and three others had departed Nigeria for the conference but arrived the day the conference ended.

She said, “It was also discovered that no attempt was made by the speaker and his members to go to the venue of the conference rather they relied on the information given to them by the Clerk and the Protocol officer that the conference had ended.