*** Group Petitions EFCC as Powerful Figure Boasts He’s ‘Untouchable’
By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
A civic group, Kogi Transparency Watch, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged illegal sale of a historic property belonging to the Kogi State Ministry of Agriculture, located along John Holt Road, beside Habso Filling Station in Lokoja.
Findings by the group revealed that the colonial-era building was originally owned by the defunct Northern Nigeria Government before being transferred to Kwara State.
When Kogi State was created in 1991, Kwara officially handed over the property to the Kogi State Government.
The building, which once served as the Tractor Hiring Office under the Ministry of Agriculture, was reportedly sold secretly to a top government official under suspicious circumstances, without following due process or obtaining legislative approval.
Kogi Transparency Watch alleged that the transaction violated the state’s asset disposal procedures, which require the approval of the Kogi State House of Assembly before any public property can be sold.
The group described the development as “a flagrant abuse of office and a betrayal of public trust,” calling for urgent intervention by anti-graft agencies.
“This is not just an act of corruption, but a deliberate attempt to rob the people of their heritage. This property belongs to the state and must be recovered immediately,” the statement read.
Further investigations by Kogi Transparency Watch revealed that the powerful official used iron sheets removed from the Kogi Government House during renovation works to fence the disputed site — a move the group described as “a double misuse of public resources.”
Shockingly, since the controversial acquisition, the property has been left abandoned and undeveloped.
Residents of the area told National Watch TV that the once-functional government facility has now turned into a hideout for criminals and drug addicts, posing serious security risks to the surrounding neighborhood.
“The place is no longer safe. At night, you see strange faces loitering there. It used to be a busy place where tractors and farm machines were repaired, but now it’s a den for drug users and petty thieves,” a resident lamented.
Sources also revealed that the influential official has been boasting that he is “untouchable,” allegedly claiming that his political connections shield him from any probe.
Meanwhile, National Watch TV says it will soon release documents detailing the transaction and the identities of those involved in the questionable sale.
Since public attention was drawn to the matter, the embattled official has reportedly avoided developing or visiting the site, fearing further scrutiny and investigation.
Kogi Transparency Watch has called on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to direct a comprehensive audit of all government properties across the state, especially those inherited from previous administrations, to expose similar cases of illegal sale or conversion.
“If this kind of impunity is not checked, Kogi State will continue to lose valuable assets to powerful individuals. We will not relent until accountability is achieved,” the group added.
As of press time, neither the Ministry of Agriculture nor the Kogi State Government has issued an official statement regarding the allegations.
Watch Video Here:
