Police Arrest Benue State Civil Servants for N12m Fraud

George Okoh In Makurdi

Three staff of Benue State Ministry of Agriculture Makudi, Benue State have been arrested by the Police over a N12 million fraud.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Moses Yamu has since confirmed the arrest of the trio

A source in the ministry disclosed that the trio with some government top officials engaged in a fertilizer scam were currently being held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the police in the state.

Sources at the CID disclosed the names of those involved in the scam as, the Director of Finance, Christiana Mhambe; Accountant, Samson Abeh and the Cashier in the Ministry, Susan Chieriyol.

The suspects the source said used the State Government Account to defraud unsuspecting customers under the pretext of providing fertilizers to them.

However after reaching an agreement with the customers, the fertilizers are usually not provided

Further findings shows that the trio hid under the present policy of the state government where money was paid before delivery of fertilizer to defraud the unsuspecting victim.

When contacted the State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mr. James Anbua disclosed that the matter was before the police for further investigation

According to him, there was nothing to comment over the issue as the police were still investigating the matter, even as he stated that the transaction engaged by the suspects was outside the operations of the Ministry.