Group petitions EFCC, accuses Latep Dabang, suspended Plateau APC chairman of stealing N593 million Party funds
The suspended Caretaker Chairman of All Progressives Party in Plateau State, Latep Dabang, has been reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly stealing N593 million from the party.
The APC stakeholders made the report through a petition to the anti-graft agency, dated August 6.
It would be recalled that The Plateau chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had suspended Letep Dabang for alleged anti-party activities, in a letter signed by Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, Secretary, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.
According to the petitioners, the embattled former chairman stole the money through arbitrary withdrawals of party funds.
“We want EFCC to commence immediate investigation into the alleged criminal financial mismanagement levelled against Latep Dabang for his seven years tenure of office from 2014 to 2021 for possible prosecution for financial crimes,” the petitioners stated.
“All the actions of the suspended Caretaker Chairman are contrary to the spirit of democratic ethos and value and social justice contract with the party faithfuls and this has a serious negative impact on the operations and credibility of the Party.”
When Mr Dabang was asked to comment on the allegations, he told our reporter on the telephone: “I am in a meeting. Please call me back.”
He did not respond to subsequent calls and text messages from the reporter.
Below is the full statement;
PETITION TO INVESTIGATE LATEP DABANG OF MASSIVE CORRUPTION, FINANCIAL FRAUD AND ABUSE OF OFFICE AS ALL PROGRESSIVES PARTY
August, 6th, 2021
Executive Chairman
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
Abuja
We the Stakeholders of the All Progressives Party wish to forward to you for Investigation the many acts of Corruption Financial Fraud and sins of Latep Dabang, who was at the saddle at the All Progressives Party, Plateau State for past 7 years,”
Alleged Corrupt Practices
*Arbitrary withdrawals of Party funds from the accounts of the party at United Bank for Africa PLC in Contravention of Procurement Laws and Extant Financial Rules and above his Financial Limits ,
- The Palliatives donated by Party faithfuls intended to assist Internally Displaced Persons was converted to his personal use.
- Excessive increase in administrative operational expenses” extra budgetary expenditures on hotel accommodation and under disclosure of expenditures on hotel expenses, diversion of funds, amongst other.
Perpetrating a gigantic, unconstitutional accounting fraud, deliberately cooking the books to mislead the State Executive committee.
Various expenditure incurred by the suspended chairman on behalf of the Party for which a whopping N313 million naira was paid without supporting documents .
In all, at least a mind-boggling N200 million of the Party’s ’s financial transactions between 2018 and 2019 could not be traced, documented, or explained.
All the actions of the suspended Caretaker Chairman are contrary to the spirit of democratic ethos and value and social justice contract with the party faithfuls and this has a serious negative impact on the operations and credibility of the Party.”
We want EFCC to commence immediate investigation into the alleged criminal financial mismanagement levelled against Latep Dabang for his seven years tenure of office from 2014 to 2021 for possible prosecution for financial crimes.
This is submitted for urgent Investigation in National Interest
Best Regards
Chief Daniel Chollom
Alh Mohammed Maisauti
Comrade John Joshua
Cc. Maimala Buni, NationalChairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.
Cc. Rt Hon Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State
Cc. Rt Hon Idris Maje Wase, Deputy Speaker, Federal House of Representatives
Cc. Dame Pauline Tallen, Hon Minister of Women Affairs, FRN
Cc. Transparency International
Cc. Chairman ICPC
Cc. Commissioner of Police, Plateau State
Cc. Directorate of State Services, Plateau State Command
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