EFCC urged to probe Kogi LGAs’ finances

A civil society group has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate how local government funds are being utilised in Kogi State. At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of the African Transparency Initiative (ATI), Comrade Taiwo Omoniyi Otitolaye, said findings from a joint investigation by ATI […]

A civil society group has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate how local government funds are being utilised in Kogi State.

At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Executive Director of the African Transparency Initiative (ATI), Comrade Taiwo Omoniyi Otitolaye, said findings from a joint investigation by ATI and the Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA) revealed alleged misappropriation of statutory funds meant for Adavi, Bassa, Dekina, Idah and Yagba East LGAs.

Otitolaye said that although each council is entitled to between N3 billion and N5 billion for the 2024–2025 fiscal year, most communities continue to experience worsening infrastructure and declining basic services.

He alleged that federal allocations to the five LGAs, estimated at N15 billion to N25 billion, have not translated into any meaningful development.

According to him, field assessments by the groups found that only 3 percent of water projects were functional, while roads and health centres in many communities remain in a deplorable state.

“Eighty-seven percent of the 1,200 residents we surveyed rated service delivery as very poor, with 20 percent saying their councils are practically non-existent,” Otitolaye said.

The coalition urged the EFCC to immediately investigate the financial transactions of the affected LGAs, invite and interrogate serving and past officials, and, where necessary, make arrests.

They also called for the tracing, freezing and recovery of all misappropriated assets and demanded a public progress report within 14 days.

The groups further encouraged citizens to pressure their elected representatives and participate in local monitoring committees to track council spending.