Benue Assembly asks LG Chairman, others to refund money

The Benue House of Assembly on Tuesday ordered Mr Simon Iwar, the Chairman of Gwer Local Government Area and two other officials to refund N1 million to the coffers of the council.

The order followed the debate on the report of its committee on public accounts, which had considered the state's Auditor-General's report on local governments accounts from 2008 to 2012.

The other officers are Mrs Regina Odangla, the Director of Personnel Services and Administration and the Protocol Officer, Mr Joseph Orya.

The assembly directed them to refund the money within three weeks and tender evidence of payment to the committee.

The chairman of the committee, Mr James Ochojila, told the assembly plenary that the council officials claimed to have used the amount for entertainment.

Ochojila further said that when they appeared before the committee they were unable to substantiate their claim with facts.

He added that the purported entertainment was for an unspecified meeting.

Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Mr Terhile Ayua, who read the resolutions of the house, directed the affected officials to pay the amount.