Four local council officials are accused of diverting $1 million for their personal use
DAKAR (TrustLaw) – Officials from a local council in Nigeria’s Kogi state have appeared in court accused of carrying out a $1 million fraud scheme, the country’s anti-graft agency said in a statement.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that four officials from Bassa local council obtained a N160 million ($1 million) loan from a local bank on behalf of the council, but diverted the funds for their personal use. The accused include a former chairman, a director and a treasurer.
“The accused persons were also alleged to have diverted the sum of N2,000,000 ($12,670) belonging to Bassa local government council”, originally intended for renovating Bassa Council Hall, the EFFC said.
The four were arraigned in court this week and pleaded not guilty. They have been granted bail.
The case resumes on April 25.
Analysts say embezzlement, corruption and fraud by officials have contributed to underdevelopment and poverty in Nigeria, which is Africa’s biggest oil exporter.
Nigeria is often ranked in various corruption indexes as one of the world’s most corrupt countries.
Authorities in the West African nation say they are determined to fight corruption and bad governance and have set up agencies such as the EFCC.
However, critics say many of the corruption cases initiated by the EFCC against the political elite have made little progress in the courts.
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