Anti-corruption crusader, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has asked the Bayelsa State government to within seven days commence the trial of the Bayelsa House of Assembly Speaker, Mr. Kombowei Benson, and two other principal officers of the Assembly, accusing them of conspiracy and diversion of N78 million public funds.
The suspects were accused of diverting the money meant for a trip to South Africa.
In a letter to the state’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) yesterday, Falana named the other two suspects as the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Victor Sam-Afeki, and the Assembly Clerk, Mr. Aaron Timiye.
“Upon the conclusion of the investigation the Special Fraud Unit established that the said sum of N78 million collected by the members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to attend a conference in South Africa last year was diverted and misappropriated’
“Based on the report of the police investigation the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation has advised that charges of conspiracy, stealing and misappropriation of public funds be filed against the Speaker,Hon Konbowei Friday, his deputy, Hon Victor Sam-Afeki and the Clerk of the House, Mr. Aaron Timiye of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly while the other members of the House who had refunded the sum of N21,923,000.00 to the treasury of Bayelsa State be used as prosecution witnesses.
“In view of the well known fact that Hon Herman Hembe and Hon Ifeanyi Azubuogu of the House of Representatives have been charged to Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for misappropriation and conversion of public funds in similar circumstances, we have no doubt that the necessary charges are filed against the said officials at the High Court of Bayelsa State within seven days of the receipt of this letter.
The anti-corruption crusader said the matter had been thoroughly investigated by the Police Special Fraud Unit, which has established a case of conspiracy and misappropriation of public funds.
“Kindly note that if you (DPP) fail to accede to our request, we shall not hesitate to file an application for mandamus at the High Court with a view to view to compelling you to arraign the aforementioned suspects in court pursuant to the report of police investigation, which has established a prima facie case of conspiracy, fraudulent misappropriation and stealing by conversion of public funds, against the leadership of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly,” Falana warned.