JUST IN…Kwara INEC REC confirms embezzlement, offers clarification

Attahiru Madami

Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Kwara, Malam Garba Attahiru-Madami, has reacted to the fraud uncovered in the agency’s cooperative society.

It would recalled that ROYAL NEWS in a publication uncovered multimillion naira embezzlement uncovered in the Kwara INEC Cooperative Society, a report which indicted the immediate past Executive council members .

A statement issued on Thursday by the Spokesperson of Kwara INEC, Barrister Jacob Ayanda, noted that Attahiru Madami never compromised on the issue of fraud.

According to him, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Kwara State has been drawn to a one sided story from Royal Times on a purported looming EFCC investigation in INEC cooperative society.
Facts are sacrosanct any day.

“Upon assumption of duties of the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mal. Garuba Attahiru-Madami, a man of honour, integrity and openness,
he decided to examine the records of the cooperative society by setting up a committee headed by an experienced cooperative official.

“The committee did uncover a lot of fraud and he immediately dissolved the society’s executives,” Ayanda added.

He added that the REC put in place a caretaker committee and then directed the invitation of the state Ministry of Cooperatives’ officials to do a thorough investigation along with the new caretaker committee.

“The two committees’ work took quite a while because of the period the investigation covered.
“Eventually, amount embezzled by individual members of the executive were ascertained and given a time frame of ending of January 2019 to
pay up by the Management before other steps would be taken,” he said.

According to Ayanda, “administrative and disciplinary steps were laid down in the Commission’s Staff Condition of Service that covered such issue, adding that those involved started paying back immediately they
were told.

“By May 2019, the extent of refunds was looked at by the Management and another deadline of September 2019 ending was given after which
further necessary action will be taken.

“For avoidance of doubt, Mal. Garba who hated indiscipline to a fault couldn’t have covered the fraud he detected by the machinery he put in
place as claimed by the publication, but taking his time to ensure justice for all,” Ayanda added.
Ayanda however said that Royal Times reporter did not contact either the REC or himself to get the side of the Commission before publishing
their story.

“Before making spurious allegation and going to press, the said Royal Times who published the news should have gone through established
communication channels to ensure balance news.
“Neither the Commissioner nor the HOD in charge of publicity was contacted before publishing,” Ayanda added.