The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has interrogated eight top officials of the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NHSA) over allegations of conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds to the tune of N279 million.
The alleged graft was said to have been reported to the EFCC through an anonymous whistle blower.
Top on the lists of the officials who were interrogated by the anti-graft body over the matter is Director-General of the agency, Moses Oluwatoyin Beckley.
According to The Nation, other officials of the agency interrogated by EFCC are: Deputy Director (Account), Mrs. Hauwa Ibrahim; Mary Abioye (Central Processing Officer); Ajayi F. Alaba (Asst. Director, Head, Internal Auditor); Jonathan Mbachi (Asst. Chief Executive Officer Accounts); Banwo Oladele Oluwale (Chief Accountant); Joseph Awe Olufemi (Head, Salary); and David Okon Williams (Chief Executive Officer, Accounts).
The owner of Full Range Bureau de Change, a forex dealer, was also reportedly interrogated over how N130 million was credited to his company’s account by the agency.
The senior officials of the agency allegedly diverted sums meant for the execution of capital projects in the ministry, using company or private accounts.
“They hid under the guise of paying for projects/contracts that were either non-existing or never executed. About N135, 567,047 has been recovered and registered as exhibit,” The Nation quoted an undisclosed source as saying.
The report said that the suspects have made useful statements, and have admitted to having benefitted from the funds as follows: Moses Beckley (DG NIHSA) – N40,000,000.00; Hauwa Ibrahim (Deputy Director Accounts) – N49,112,502.00; Mary Abioye (Central Processing Officer) – N47,546,000.00; Ajayi F. Alaba (Asst. Director, Head, internal Auditor) – N2,000,000.00; Jonathan Mbachi (Asst. Chief Executive Officer Accounts) – N305,000.00; Banwo Oladele Oluwale (Chief Accountant) – N612,047.00; Joseph Awe Olufemi (Head, Salary) – N7,759,400.00; and David Okon Williams (Chief Executive Officer Accounts) – N2,340,847.00.
The source reportedly told the newspaper that the suspects would likely be subjected to trail.