Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Monday Onyeme
By Our Reporter
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced investigations into the alleged disappearance of N108million from the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue (DBIR)
This according to a source is sequel to the story making the rounds that the chairman of the DBIR, Monday Onyeme, is allegedly entangled in a scandal involving missing funds running into N107, 740, 000 (N107. 7 million)
Gathered that the money had been unaccounted for by the board chairman since 2019 following an audit carried out by the office of the state auditor general. This much is contained in part four of the 2019 audit report of the auditor general of Delta State as updated, under section 4 subsection 3 (38), the board’s total budget provision for 2019 was N3 billion while the actual expenditure incurred in the same period amounted to N2, 999, 810, 494.86, resulting in about N189 million savings. The sum of N107, 740, 000 or 3.6 percent of the N2.9 billion is said to be missing.
The funds form part of several millions of naira unaccounted for that the board chairman is allegedly battling to cover up.
As contained in a query by the auditor general, Paul Aghanenu dated May 14, 2020, the missing funds were paid out in 28 tranches.
The state auditor general’s query reads: “A total of 28 payment vouchers amount to N107,740,000 or 3.6% total overhead expenditure of N2,999,810,494.86 were observed to be irregular and therefore have been queried and referred to the officer for comments and explanation. The irregularities range from no audit certificate, no proper retirement and absence of approval.”
According to a member of the board, who craved for anonymity, “the board is a “cash cow for politicians”.
“The DBIR is a conduit. No accountability in this board. This is where politicians cart away millions of naira and up to billions of naira and nobody asks questions. The financial recklessness in the board is too much.” the source added.
When NATIONAL WAVES contacted Mr. Onyeme to respond to the allegation, he said “Thank you let them investigate please’ when NATIONAL WAVES prodded further, he angrily replied “My friend you just told me that EFCC is investigating the matter, what else do you want from me. I know for a fact no money is missing,,,’
