Allegations have surfaced over the diversion of ₦21 million, reportedly meant for the renewal of a telecommunications mast at the Port Harcourt Zoo, into a dormant Access Bank account belonging to the Rivers State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
According to sources, the payment made by a telecommunications company was expected to be remitted into the State Revenue Account as mandated by a Rivers State Government directive.
The directive specifies that all revenues due to the state be paid into a central account managed by the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS). However, the payment was allegedly redirected into a separate account.
The Access Bank account in question is reportedly unknown to the accounts department of the Ministry, with no staff member listed as a signatory. Insiders claim the account had been dormant and was covertly reactivated by unidentified individuals within the Ministry, who allegedly plan to move the funds into private accounts.
Investigations suggest that the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism allegedly orchestrated the move during a period when the Ministry was without a Commissioner, and the Director of Finance had been transferred.
Sources revealed that efforts to reactivate the dormant account began in late 2024, without the knowledge of the then-Commissioner. However, the initial attempt was halted when the process came under scrutiny.
The situation escalated when the former Director of Finance was asked to sign unfamiliar documents, which he refused. He subsequently reported the matter to the Commissioner.
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Following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, the absence of the Commissioner allegedly gave room for the culprits to proceed with their plan. They reactivated the dormant account and instructed the telecom company to pay the ₦21 million into it.
Further investigations suggest that the actual fee payable to the state government was approximately ₦6 million. The figure was allegedly inflated to ₦21 million in collusion with middlemen from the telecom company, with the excess funds intended to be shared among the conspirators.
The plot began to unravel when a representative of the telecom company, reportedly involved in the arrangement, raised an alarm after claiming the government officials reneged on their share of the deal. The representative’s persistent pressure is believed to have exposed the scheme.
Additionally, sources claimed that proceeds from an Easter event held at the Port Harcourt Zoo were misappropriated, with no accounting rendered to the government.
In response to the allegations, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Barrister Ishmael Tomonialadieokuma, denied any wrongdoing. Speaking to our correspondent, he stated that the Access Bank account in question is an operational account of the Ministry and not dormant as claimed.
As investigations continue, the Rivers State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
