Lafia LG Chairman Dismisses ₦480m Misappropriation Allegations, Describes Petition as Politically Motivated
Says Viral Claims Are False, Welcomes Lawful Investigation
By Abubakar Suleiman Rimi Uku
The Office of the Chairman of Lafia Local Government Council, Hon. Mohammed Alhaji Haliru (Arabo), has dismissed allegations of misappropriating over ₦480 million in federal allocation, describing a viral petition circulating on social media as false, malicious and politically motivated.
In a statement issued to journalists on Friday, the council said the petition, reportedly authored by one Abubakar Mohammed, who identified himself as a "Nasarawa State Lafia Youth Advocator," lacked credible evidence and was intended to tarnish the chairman's reputation and distract the council from ongoing developmental projects.
Responding to the allegation of missing funds, the council explained that all federal allocations to Lafia Local Government Area are received through the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) and disbursed in accordance with the provisions of the Nasarawa State Local Government Law.
According to the statement, all expenditures are properly documented and subject to audit, insisting that the claim that the council received over ₦480 million without executing projects was misleading and untrue.
The council further clarified that the recent dissolution of political appointees was part of an administrative restructuring aimed at improving service delivery and was not connected to salary issues.
It maintained that all affected appointees received their salaries and allowances before the dissolution.
While reaffirming its0 commitment to transparency and accountability, the chairman's office welcomed any lawful investigation by the Lafia Legislative Council, the Nasarawa State Government and other relevant oversight bodies.
The statement, however, cautioned against what it described as "trial by social media," stressing that allegations of financial misconduct should be supported with verifiable evidence and handled through established legal procedures.
The council also highlighted several projects undertaken within the last year, including the grading of rural roads, renovation of primary healthcare centres, construction of boreholes and implementation of youth empowerment programmes, urging residents to verify information through official channels.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official confirmation that any formal petition had been submitted to the Nasarawa State Government or the Lafia Legislative Council regarding the allegations.
The Chairman's Office called on residents to remain calm, disregard unverified reports and allow the appropriate institutions to carry out their constitutional responsibilities in accordance with due process.
