President Buhari Appointee Accused Of Corruption
Scandalous report broke yesterday, October 22, following the appointment of Mohammed Lecky as the national commissioner for the INEC by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Sahara Reporters claims that based on the exclusively obtained documents, during his tenure at the position of the executive secretary and the chief executive officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Lecky was suspected of being involved in public money embezzlement.
Lecky was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an allegedly illegal investment of N10.7 billion and fraudulent representation to the Federal Executive Council for the award of a contract. The report, signed by ex EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu, was said to have been submitted to Umaru Yar’adua, Nigeria’s former president, and contained:
“Among other things, authorized the investment of government funds in three commercial banks that have no banking relationship with the scheme to the tune of ten billion and seven hundred naira (N10.7 billion).”
According to the document, the investigation showed that Lecky first invested the said amount into his private accounts, then he returned the amount to the NHIS, but received the interest off this money which totaled “sixty three million, seven hundred and sixty three thousand, thirteen naira”.
Mohammed Lecky. Credits: The Nation
“No evidence was seen suggesting that the board or the minister of health gave approval for the placement of the funds in the various banks. It was the sole decision of the executive secretary.”
The report further discloses that Lecky was part of fraudulent schemes connected with contract awarding and company incorporation.
The conclusion reads:
“A case of misappropriation of public funds cannot be established against Mr Lecky but a case of abuse of office could be sustained against the suspect on the basis of conflict of interest by influencing the award of a contract to a company in which his cousin is the director.”
It should be recalled that President Buhari made a series of important appointments on Thursday as he named Mahmood Yakubu as the new chairman for the INEC and Dan-Azumi Ibrahim as the director general of the National Office for Technological Acquisition and Promotion. This comes amid the ministerial screening by the Senate. Yesterday the Red Chamber screened former Rivers state governor Rotimi Amaechi. The further exercise was adjourned to October 27.
Sahara Reporters claims that based on the exclusively obtained documents, during his tenure at the position of the executive secretary and the chief executive officer of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Lecky was suspected of being involved in public money embezzlement.
Lecky was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over an allegedly illegal investment of N10.7 billion and fraudulent representation to the Federal Executive Council for the award of a contract. The report, signed by ex EFCC chairman Nuhu Ribadu, was said to have been submitted to Umaru Yar’adua, Nigeria’s former president, and contained:
“Among other things, authorized the investment of government funds in three commercial banks that have no banking relationship with the scheme to the tune of ten billion and seven hundred naira (N10.7 billion).”
According to the document, the investigation showed that Lecky first invested the said amount into his private accounts, then he returned the amount to the NHIS, but received the interest off this money which totaled “sixty three million, seven hundred and sixty three thousand, thirteen naira”.
Mohammed Lecky. Credits: The Nation
“No evidence was seen suggesting that the board or the minister of health gave approval for the placement of the funds in the various banks. It was the sole decision of the executive secretary.”
The report further discloses that Lecky was part of fraudulent schemes connected with contract awarding and company incorporation.
The conclusion reads:
“A case of misappropriation of public funds cannot be established against Mr Lecky but a case of abuse of office could be sustained against the suspect on the basis of conflict of interest by influencing the award of a contract to a company in which his cousin is the director.”
It should be recalled that President Buhari made a series of important appointments on Thursday as he named Mahmood Yakubu as the new chairman for the INEC and Dan-Azumi Ibrahim as the director general of the National Office for Technological Acquisition and Promotion. This comes amid the ministerial screening by the Senate. Yesterday the Red Chamber screened former Rivers state governor Rotimi Amaechi. The further exercise was adjourned to October 27.
