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The Benue State House of Assembly, presided over by Speaker Hyacinth Dajo, has summoned Dr Dennis Akura, the former special adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. Dr Akura is expected to appear during plenary on Tuesday to provide explanations and refund the sum of N1.78 billion, which
Benue Assembly summons former special adviser over missing N1.78bn

The Benue State House of Assembly, presided over by Speaker Hyacinth Dajo, has summoned Dr Dennis Akura, the former special adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Dr Akura is expected to appear during plenary on Tuesday to provide explanations and refund the sum of N1.78 billion, which remains unaccounted for during his tenure in the bureau.

This resolution followed a motion moved by Mr. Thomas Dugeri (APC, Kwande West) after the ad hoc committee presented its report. The committee investigated the operations and financial records of local governments from June 2023 to June 2024, and its findings indicted Dr Akura.

Dugeri stated that the House requested Dr Akura to refund N1.782 billion to the state government’s coffers. He expressed concern over Akura’s social media responses, which, according to him, denigrated, maligned, and impugned the resolutions and integrity of the House. Akura had reportedly labelled the House’s report as lacking empirical evidence and claimed he was not given a fair hearing.

Dugeri emphasised that as representatives of the people and a responsible legislative body committed to fairness, transparency, equity, and justice, the House must hear from Akura. He requested that Akura appear before lawmakers to explain to the people of Benue why he has not refunded the N1.78 billion, which was allegedly misappropriated and diverted from local governments for security purposes, compromising the state’s security framework.

The lawmaker further proposed that all former local government chairmen who served between June 2023 and June 2024 should also appear before the House. They were to be accompanied by the directors of general services and administration, treasurers, and security officers from their respective local governments. This step, he said, would enable the people of Benue to verify the findings of the committee’s report.

Dugeri cautioned government appointees against disparaging members of the House or making baseless accusations while the House fulfils its constitutional duties on behalf of the people of Benue.

The Assembly also highlighted the need to amend the Local Government Law following the Supreme Court judgement on local government financial autonomy. They urged the initiation and acceleration of this amendment to curtail the Bureau for Local Government’s powers and excesses and promote financial independence for local governments.

Benue Assembly summons former special adviser over missing N1.78bn

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic oil tanker explosion in Majiya, Jigawa State, which claimed the lives of over 105 people and left several others injured. In a statement released by his media aide, Garba Shehu, Buhari described the accident as the deadliest of such tragedies witnessed in the country’s
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Former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed deep sorrow following the tragic oil tanker explosion in Majiya, Jigawa State, which claimed the lives of over 105 people and left several others injured. In a statement released by his media aide, Garba Shehu, Buhari described the accident as the deadliest of such tragedies witnessed in the country’s

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