Cross River, Coalition Differ On Alleged Misappropriation Of Funds

A coalition of civil societies led by the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NACAT) has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged misuse of Cross River State’s funds.

It asked the antigraft agency to probe misappropriation of funds under the administration of Governor Ben Ayade.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, NACAT alleged that the governor, his family members and cronies have misappropriated the state government’s funds through questionable contracts, transactions among others.

In their official statement signed by NACAT executive director, Samson Tega and operational manager, Stanley Ugagbe, the coalition said it embarked on a comprehensive audit of the Cross River State government’s accounts between 2015-2020 and discovered financial infractions and irregularities ranging from circumvention of procurement processes, suspicious payments of money, possible money laundering, to award of contracts to non-existent shell companies.

Tega alleged that on May 19, 2015, the CRSG recurrent expenditure (FAAC) account witnessed same day structured cash outflows via transfer in tranches of N643,500,000, N213,000,000, N643,500,000 and the purpose of the transactions was not stated.

“On May 14, 2015, the CRSG recurrent expenditure (FAAC) account witnessed same day structured cash outflows via transfer in tranches of N637, 000,000, N463,000,000. The purpose of the transaction was not stated.

“ On 26th March 2015, the Cross River State Internal Revenue Collection Account witnessed same day structured cash outflows via transfer of N100,000,000. The purpose of the transaction was not stated.

“On 26th March 2015, the Cross River State Internal Revenue Collection Account witnessed same day structured cash outflows via transfer of N6,000,000. The purpose of the transaction was not stated.”

Also, on 13th January 2016, “the Office of the Chief of Staff, Governors’ Office, Calabar Eco Bank witnessed same day structured cash outflows via cheque withdrawal in 10 tranches of N10,000,000, amounting to N100,000,000.”

“On June 7, 2017, the Cross River State permanent secretary for local government affairs, Mrs. Mary Jane Ebri, carried out multiple self-withdrawal of N10,000,000 10 times amounting to N100,000,000 from the CRSG Ministry of Works, Calabar Capital Account domiciled with a first generation bank.

“The purposes of the withdrawals are not stated,” the group alleged.

Meanwhile, the governor has described the allegations as a sham and untrue.

Speaking through the chief press secretary, Christian Ita, he said, “Please check the state allocation from federation account and IGR. Cross River State did not make such amount of money in eight years.