Divert LG funds, face lawsuits, Ohanaeze tells govs

A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Thursday threatened to take legal action against any governor, especially those from the Southeast, who diverts local government funds.

In a statement issued in Abakaliki, the Deputy National President of the faction, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, noted that the heinous practice of utilising local government resources as a conduit for governors’ personal gain must come to an end.

He charged LGA Chairmen, particularly those from the Southeast, to grasp the gravity of their positions and resist any deductions from their accounts by any governor, reminding them that they will account for every kobo spent.

He further reminded them that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has a mandate to rigorously monitor the management and utilization of these funds.

The statement read: “The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, stands resolutely at the helm of integrity and accountability in governance, issuing this unequivocal statement to all Chairmen of Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Nigeria, with a special emphasis on the 95 councils within the Southeast.

“Recent developments necessitate this forthright warning: any attempt to unlawfully divert LGA funds for the personal enrichment of governors will not only be met with vehement opposition but will also incur stringent legal repercussions.

“The directive from the Federal Government mandating the establishment of dedicated accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for direct allocations from the Federation Account is a monumental step forward in ensuring transparency and proper governance.

“This policy aligns with the Supreme Court ruling advocating for direct allocations to all 774 councils. Ohanaeze Ndigbo views this measure as critical in curbing the long-standing malpractices that have plagued our local governance system, enabling a more direct and accountable flow of resources to the communities they serve.

“Therefore, we urge the Chairmen to adhere to the principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance. Ohanaeze Ndigbo will not sit idly by while the integrity of our local councils is compromised.

“The heinous practice of utilizing local government resources as a conduit for governors’ personal gain must come to an end. We firmly proclaim that the Southeast LGA Chairmen must grasp the gravity of their positions: no governor will provide sanctuary from justice. Evidence of misconduct, misappropriation, and the failure to ensure the payment of salaries will not go unaddressed.

“In our collective pursuit of safeguarding the interests of our communities, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has instituted an auditing committee tasked with scrutinizing the flow and disbursement of funds, ensuring that the era of siphoning resources for personal gain is irrevocably extinguished.”