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By Our Reporter
My Rejoinder By Emmanuel Tama
I wouldn’t know the standards set by the Forensic Audit Panel constituted by Governor Hyacinth Alia to audit the accounts of Lobi Stars Football Club, but for a fact, no money allocated to the club during my tenure as the Vice Chairman of the club was embezzled, misapplied or unaccounted for.
Unfortunately, I heard about the audit committee who were given a mandate by the Governor to audit the club finances from 2020 to August, 2024. I was waiting to hear or receive an invitation to come and explain any expenditure during my period of stewardship which didn’t come. I so assume that there was no issue as I also know there was none, only for me to wake up to an embarrassing and ridiculous report in the social media signed by the CPS to the Governor of Benue State Sir Tersoo Kula that I was to return a huge sum of Four Hundred and Thirty Four Million Three Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixty Four Naira Twelve Kobo (434, 318, 964.12).
Under my short stewardship which lasted for 11 months from April, 2021 to March, 2022, the statutory monthly allocation of the club was Thirty Seven Million Eight Hundred Thousand (37,800,000) Naira, which cumulatively amounted to 415,800,000 and the sum of Seventy two Million (72,000,000) Naira for 24 matches bringing it to a total of Four Hundred and Eighty Seven Million (487,800,000) broken down as follows:
1. Total allocation 37,800,000 × 11= 415,800,000
2. Monthly wage bill 35,000,000 × 11= 385,000,000
3. Home Matches- 2,500,000 × 12 = 30,000,000
4. Away Matches- 3,500,000 × 12 = 42,000,000
5. Monthly administrative cost, medical, and sundry expenses= 2,800,000 × 11 = 30,800,000
Total= 487,800,000
Considering the above breakdown of income and expenditure which is practically realistic not forgetting that there was recruitment cost which I have to go out of the ordinary to pay for players transfer as 90% of players I met were said to be on loan. I didn’t handover any liability to my successor bedsides the preseason camp bills I inherited from my predecessor but was paying out of court.
I am still in shock how the forensic audit panel arrived at such ridiculous report which I consider embarrassing, image tarnishing and ingratitude for my selfless service to the government and people of my state.
I am available and willing to avail myself for any clarification on the matter and also call on the public to take a critical look at my submission vis a vis the unfounded allegation or conclusion made on my person to see who is telling the truth using common sense.
