OKEFEGATE: EFCC Receives 3 Petitions Against Benue Assembly Deputy Speaker

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has received not less than three petitions against the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. James Okefe.

In the latest petition, a group, Benue People Against Corruption (BPAC) accused the Deputy Speaker for faking, collecting and pocketing travel allowances supposedly meant for his aides.

" We are petitioning your (EFCC) good office to investigate the fraudulent act committed by Hon James Okefe, the Deputy Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly.

" Hon Okefe collected estacode and travel allowance for one of his Special Assistants to accompany him to a retreat organised for members of the Benue State House of Assembly in South Africa which was held in December of 2015.

“ Hon Okefe fraudulently converted the money to his own use as none of his employed Special Assistants accompanied him on the trip." read excerpts of the petition.

The group also alleged that checks with the South African High Commission revealed that Hon Okefe did not apply for a visa with any of his Special Assistants, neither did he travel with any of them.

The EFCC has also received petitions concerning a N700 million vehicles deal scandal involving the deputy speaker.