The Taraba Concerned Youths on Wednesday reminded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the need to live up to its functions and strategies by hurriedly investigating the petition written and submitted to its headquarters on the allegations of corruption by Southern Taraba concerned youths Led by Daniel Likam and Hon. Tijani Sale against Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.

In statement signed by the Chairman of the group and its’ Secretary General, Isma’ila Tanko Alex and Dauda Andokari Nafinji, the group alleged that some unscrupulous elements are working behind to drag the good name of EFCC into the murky waters of Taraba politics.

The concerned youths also said that the petitions summited to the EFCC by the group was on what they called a criminal conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and diversion of public resources for personal uses and abandonment of projects to the tune of ₦7.2 billion naira with verifiable documents attached which was submitted since last year.

Read the statement in parts:

“The need to curb the trend of corruption and lack of accountability by those occupying positions of authority in Nigeria necessitated the establishment of EFCC in 2003 by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“The EFCC is hoped to actualize through its diverse functions and strategies; receive and investigate complaints from members of the public on allegation of corrupt practices and in appropriate cases prosecute the offenders, promulgation of laws against graft, prosecution and conviction of high ranking administrative and political officers, institution of due process mechanism in the public sector procurements.

“In line with the above functions and strategies, the EFCC is empowered by law to investigate, prevent and prosecute offenders who engaged in gross misconduct, embezzlements, looting and any form corrupt practices.

“However, on the other hand the key role of the media is to inform, educate, debate and even entertain its audience with objective, constructive, logical, balance, truth and facts information about happenings in a society.

“Unfortunately, today some media organizations are use by politicians for blackmails and cheap propaganda. Instead of being constructive and factually, they have became tabloids working for the interest of mischievous politicians not the general public.

“The Premium Time is a classical example of such media outfit. Recently, the media outfit has published for Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, the failed and aggrieved Senator representing Taraba South simple to mislead Tarabans for cheap Popularity, meal tickets and politically ill motivated linking the EFCC for the statement that was not published by the Commission.

“We the Concern Citizens of Taraba South in Taraba State, therefore, call on the EFCC to act as some unscrupulous elements are working behind to drag the Commission good name into the murky waters of Taraba politics as desperately play by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha who has been petitioned and under investigation.

“At this point, we urge the EFCC to professionally operate and live up to its functions and strategies. We also wish to draw the attention of the EFCC to know that Senator Bwacha and his aides are playing politics with its name and integrity in Taraba State by claiming that he is under the cover and protection of the Attorney General of Federation, Shehu Malami.

“On the recent wild and mere allegations that a certain ₦39 billion naira has been siphoned through and by Governor Darius Ishaku’s sister who is a Board member, not even a Permanent Secretary who is an accounting officer of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs or Chairman of the Board can do such a careless financial Irregularities.

“The general public should also know that government of Governor Darius Ishaku has sworn to God and mankind to serve Tarabans and be accountable to them with all their resources whether in cash or in kind.

” It will also be foolhardy to even contemplate stealing even a naira from government coffers if we all understand the many financial regulations in the country. One wonders why the Premium Time did not publish a back up documents of facts and figures of the transaction and money alleged to be siphoned.

“Also the voodoo and faceless organization TADIL does not exist in Taraba and has not any verifiable and registered contact address or any traceable office location.

“We also want Tarabans and Nigerians to know that the people behind these unsubstantiated allegations include a Serving Senator, Former Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly that was impeached on gross misconduct and alongside few of their minions that have are displaced in PDP and have lost political relevance in Taraba State.

“it is just a matter of time , they desperados shall also face the full wrath of the of the law for misleading the public with all sort of lies and figment of self imagination . No one has monopoly of frivolous petitions. The mad rush for defamation of character of others on social media can’t hold water nor stand the taste of time in Taraba State.

“Certainly, In the course of time, we shall unveil the truth about these kegs of lies to the general public in order to set the records straight. The information in circulation is clearly fake, deceitful and calculated to mislead and most importantly insult the collective intelligence of the good people of Taraba state.

“The concocted figures of ₦39billion and ₦21billion is figment of self imagination created out of day dream and hallucination emanated from Senator Emmanuel Bwacha and Co who are so desperate for to remain in powers as against the yearnings and aspirations of Tarabans.

“It looks inaccurate for them to have alleged the figures above (60 billion) who in his right senses who has worked and known the governor would think such funds would be looted from Taraba, a state under the leadership of an experienced, visionary, rescue God fearing leader.

“These conclaves of liars fail to understand and even spare a thought on how much is our yearly allocation from FAAC and the IGR all put together, how much does the alleged Board in question generates in the 6th year of Governor DDI’s tenure? These people shamelessly failed to be realistic and be honest even to themselves and the general public whom they are in a mad rush to govern in 2023. Tarabans must all seat and analyze deeply Senator Bwacha and Co antecedents.

“We are not exonerating or covering Alhaji Bello Yero from allegations of misappropriation of funds if any way. But stating such figures is inaccurate and unrealistic.

“We are hereby challenging the people behind this allegation to rather come out with credible documents, facts, figures means of details and means of transaction to back up their claims and to also be bold enough to address the press in person if they honestly believe they are speaking or saying nothing but the truth.

“we therefore, call on encourage Madam Gladys to institute legal actions against them to prove her innocence and put the conspirator (Senator Bwacha) behind this allegations to shame alongside his hallelujah minions.

“In another sad development related to the above, we wonders how and why the EFCC as claimed by that online publishers that Bello Yero must confess and implicate the Governor before bail will be given to him.

“We wish to recall how Senator Emmanuel Bwacha misled Governor Danbaba Suntai into destruction as member of the then Taraba cabal.

“Governor Danbaba suntai was wrongly advised by them Desperate Bwachas to implicate and blackmail Governor Jolly Nyame. Today Nyame is in Prison because he was blackmailed and betrayed by Bwacha and his gangs.

“We are very happy that Bello Yero has vindicated the Governor in his statements and has story to tell when he finally released.

“Our joy is that as investigations are ongoing, the truth shall soon prevail. The Social Media is not a court of law and those using it to defame and damage people’s integrity and reputation shall soon face their punishment and the law of karma never sleeps. We enjoin the general public to wait patiently and see who are really the enemies of the state and of whose stomach infrastructure interest are they fighting against.

“The EFCC should work on that petition as all needed evidences has been attached with for ease of investigations.
Senator Emmanuel Bwacha who connived with various contractors and compromised government agents to divert money meant for Suntai Dam and confiscated it to Shinmo Drilling Riggs for his personal use and commercial gains.

“He also collaborated with some government staff to come up with fake memorandum of understanding ( MOU)
Taking over the Management of the federal University of Wukari staff school to manage for 28years while we all watch when our common heritage is been taken away by a selfish and greedy man using public resources and opportunities.

According to the group, few among the issues raised and submitted to the EFCC against Senator Emmanuel Bwacha with documented evidence are as follows:

ROAD Construction of Achanyim in Takum 50million naira, under supply of laptops and desktops computers to Federal University Wukari to the tune of ₦230 million naira aand under supply of laboratories equipment worth ₦240 million.

None supply of sporting wears to Federal University Wukari worth ₦210 million, Agriculture machineries and equipments worth ₦220 million.

6. Under supply of street lights at Federal University Wukari -worth ₦160 million naira as well as Connection of Chanchanji to National Grid through Takum – ₦145 million naira.

Others include repair and maintenance of Takum- Katsina Ala road of 15 kilometers and Dogon gawa . ₦224 million, construction of Takum Bisaula road worth ₦281 million naira.

10. Construction of phase two Takum wukari bridge road ₦145 million naira.

However, other contracts not executed by the Senator are NTA Takum, Manya Nyivu electrification , Federal University Wukari Radio Station , Kumbo rural feeder roads etc are all evidence and are before the EFCC but the Senator is just buying time to delay the investigation. The youth group alleged.

“We are still waiting for EFCC to take action in the spirit of fairness and accountability. May be, just may be the EFCC needs a reminder again or until such people leave their powerful offices before our case shall be considered.

“Finally, we wish Senator Emmanuel Bwacha his better day’s conclave and the EFCC well in Taraba state where the truth always comes up”. They concluded.

Reacting to the allegations, Mr. Rikwense Muri, Bwacha Political Organisation described the group as mischievous elements, adding that they don’t even know the mandates and difference between the EFCC and ICPC.

“All these their baseless allegation they don’t even know where to channeled them, it is supposed to be ICPC not EFCC and as am talking to you now, Distinguish Senator Emmanuel Bwacha were cleared by the agencies concerned.” Said Rikwense Muri.

According to him, very soon the truth shall prevail and advised Governor Darius Ishaku to take advantage of the remaining one year plus to do the needful for the development of Taraba state and Tarabans as a people.

“I’m aware that Governor Ishaku has now re-engaged the social media propagandists who were deceiving some people to believe that he is working for the state, but they later stoped because there were not been paid” Bwacha Political organization alleged.

Muri however, informed that they are not against the Governor on any reason but telling him that the right thing should be done while he claimed that all the documents that were summited are backed with facts and figures. the group alleged that some unscrupulous elements are working behind to drag the good name of EFCC into the murky waters of Taraba politics.

The concerned youths also said that the petitions summited to the EFCC by the group was on what they called a criminal conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and diversion of public resources for personal uses and abandonment of projects to the tune of ₦7.2 billion naira with verifiable documents attached which was submitted since last year.

“The need to curb the trend of corruption and lack of accountability by those occupying positions of authority in Nigeria necessitated the establishment of EFCC in 2003 by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“The EFCC is hoped to actualize through its diverse functions and strategies; receive and investigate complaints from members of the public on allegation of corrupt practices and in appropriate cases prosecute the offenders, promulgation of laws against graft, prosecution and conviction of high ranking administrative and political officers, institution of due process mechanism in the public sector procurements.

“In line with the above functions and strategies, the EFCC is empowered by law to investigate, prevent and prosecute offenders who engaged in gross misconduct, embezzlements, looting and any form corrupt practices.

“However, on the other hand the key role of the media is to inform, educate, debate and even entertain its audience with objective, constructive, logical, balance, truth and facts information about happenings in a society.

“Unfortunately, today some media organizations are use by politicians for blackmails and cheap propaganda. Instead of being constructive and factually, they have became tabloids working for the interest of mischievous politicians not the general public.

“The Premium Time is a classical example of such media outfit. Recently, the media outfit has published for Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, the failed and aggrieved Senator representing Taraba South simple to mislead Tarabans for cheap Popularity, meal tickets and politically ill motivated linking the EFCC for the statement that was not published by the Commission.

“We the Concern Citizens of Taraba South in Taraba State, therefore, call on the EFCC to act as some unscrupulous elements are working behind to drag the Commission good name into the murky waters of Taraba politics as desperately play by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha who has been petitioned and under investigation.

“At this point, we urge the EFCC to professionally operate and live up to its functions and strategies. We also wish to draw the attention of the EFCC to know that Senator Bwacha and his aides are playing politics with its name and integrity in Taraba State by claiming that he is under the cover and protection of the Attorney General of Federation, Shehu Malami.

“On the recent wild and mere allegations that a certain ₦39 billion naira has been siphoned through and by Governor Darius Ishaku’s sister who is a Board member, not even a Permanent Secretary who is an accounting officer of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs or Chairman of the Board can do such a careless financial Irregularities.

“The general public should also know that government of Governor Darius Ishaku has sworn to God and mankind to serve Tarabans and be accountable to them with all their resources whether in cash or in kind.

” It will also be foolhardy to even contemplate stealing even a naira from government coffers if we all understand the many financial regulations in the country. One wonders why the Premium Time did not publish a back up documents of facts and figures of the transaction and money alleged to be siphoned.

“Also the voodoo and faceless organization TADIL does not exist in Taraba and has not any verifiable and registered contact address or any traceable office location.

“We also want Tarabans and Nigerians to know that the people behind these unsubstantiated allegations include a Serving Senator, Former Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly that was impeached on gross misconduct and alongside few of their minions that have are displaced in PDP and have lost political relevance in Taraba State.

“it is just a matter of time , they desperados shall also face the full wrath of the of the law for misleading the public with all sort of lies and figment of self imagination . No one has monopoly of frivolous petitions. The mad rush for defamation of character of others on social media can’t hold water nor stand the taste of time in Taraba State.

“Certainly, In the course of time, we shall unveil the truth about these kegs of lies to the general public in order to set the records straight. The information in circulation is clearly fake, deceitful and calculated to mislead and most importantly insult the collective intelligence of the good people of Taraba state.

“The concocted figures of ₦39billion and ₦21billion is figment of self imagination created out of day dream and hallucination emanated from Senator Emmanuel Bwacha and Co who are so desperate for to remain in powers as against the yearnings and aspirations of Tarabans.

“It looks inaccurate for them to have alleged the figures above (60 billion) who in his right senses who has worked and known the governor would think such funds would be looted from Taraba, a state under the leadership of an experienced, visionary, rescue God fearing leader.

“These conclaves of liars fail to understand and even spare a thought on how much is our yearly allocation from FAAC and the IGR all put together, how much does the alleged Board in question generates in the 6th year of Governor DDI’s tenure? These people shamelessly failed to be realistic and be honest even to themselves and the general public whom they are in a mad rush to govern in 2023. Tarabans must all seat and analyze deeply Senator Bwacha and Co antecedents.

“We are not exonerating or covering Alhaji Bello Yero from allegations of misappropriation of funds if any way. But stating such figures is inaccurate and unrealistic.

“We are hereby challenging the people behind this allegation to rather come out with credible documents, facts, figures means of details and means of transaction to back up their claims and to also be bold enough to address the press in person if they honestly believe they are speaking or saying nothing but the truth.

“we therefore, call on encourage Madam Gladys to institute legal actions against them to prove her innocence and put the conspirator (Senator Bwacha) behind this allegations to shame alongside his hallelujah minions.

“In another sad development related to the above, we wonders how and why the EFCC as claimed by that online publishers that Bello Yero must confess and implicate the Governor before bail will be given to him.

“We wish to recall how Senator Emmanuel Bwacha misled Governor Danbaba Suntai into destruction as member of the then Taraba cabal.

“Governor Danbaba suntai was wrongly advised by them Desperate Bwachas to implicate and blackmail Governor Jolly Nyame. Today Nyame is in Prison because he was blackmailed and betrayed by Bwacha and his gangs.

“We are very happy that Bello Yero has vindicated the Governor in his statements and has story to tell when he finally released.

“Our joy is that as investigations are ongoing, the truth shall soon prevail. The Social Media is not a court of law and those using it to defame and damage people’s integrity and reputation shall soon face their punishment and the law of karma never sleeps. We enjoin the general public to wait patiently and see who are really the enemies of the state and of whose stomach infrastructure interest are they fighting against.

“The EFCC should work on that petition as all needed evidences has been attached with for ease of investigations.
Senator Emmanuel Bwacha who connived with various contractors and compromised government agents to divert money meant for Suntai Dam and confiscated it to Shinmo Drilling Riggs for his personal use and commercial gains.

“He also collaborated with some government staff to come up with fake memorandum of understanding ( MOU)
Taking over the Management of the federal University of Wukari staff school to manage for 28years while we all watch when our common heritage is been taken away by a selfish and greedy man using public resources and opportunities.

According to the group, few among the issues raised and submitted to the EFCC against Senator Emmanuel Bwacha with documented evidence are as follows:

ROAD Construction of Achanyim in Takum 50million naira, under supply of laptops and desktops computers to Federal University Wukari to the tune of ₦230 million naira aand under supply of laboratories equipment worth ₦240 million.

None supply of sporting wears to Federal University Wukari worth ₦210 million, Agriculture machineries and equipments worth ₦220 million.

6. Under supply of street lights at Federal University Wukari -worth ₦160 million naira as well as Connection of Chanchanji to National Grid through Takum – ₦145 million naira.

Others include repair and maintenance of Takum- Katsina Ala road of 15 kilometers and Dogon gawa . ₦224 million, construction of Takum Bisaula road worth ₦281 million naira.

10. Construction of phase two Takum wukari bridge road ₦145 million naira.

However, other contracts not executed by the Senator are NTA Takum, Manya Nyivu electrification , Federal University Wukari Radio Station , Kumbo rural feeder roads etc are all evidence and are before the EFCC but the Senator is just buying time to delay the investigation. The youth group alleged.

“We are still waiting for EFCC to take action in the spirit of fairness and accountability. May be, just may be the EFCC needs a reminder again or until such people leave their powerful offices before our case shall be considered.

“Finally, we wish Senator Emmanuel Bwacha his better day’s conclave and the EFCC well in Taraba state where the truth always comes up”. The statement concluded.

Reacting to the allegations, Mr. Rikwense Muri of Bwacha Political Organisation, described the group as mischievous elements, adding that they don’t even know the mandates and difference between the EFCC and ICPC.

“All these their baseless allegation they don’t even know where to channeled them, it is supposed to be ICPC not EFCC and as am talking to you now, Distinguish Senator Emmanuel Bwacha were cleared by the agencies concerned.” Said Rikwense Muri.

According to him, very soon the truth shall prevail and advised Governor Darius Ishaku to take advantage of the remaining one year plus to do the needful for the development of Taraba state and Tarabans as a people.

“I’m aware that Governor Ishaku has now re-engaged the social media propagandists who were deceiving some people to believe that he is working for the state, but they later stoped because there were not been paid” Bwacha Political organization alleged.

Muri however, informed that they are not against the Governor on any reason but telling him that the right thing should be done while he claimed that all the documents that were summited are backed with facts and figures.