REVEALED: Ebonyi State’s One Billion-Naira Education Support Fund Allegedly Illegally Diverted

It has been revealed that yet another massive fraud may be currently ongoing in Ebonyi State as a yet to be determined money the government earmarked to ameliorate the hardship faced by students of tertiary institutions in the state is alleged to be diverted by some persons close to the government in the state.

A source told FACTSHEET that “over one billion naira” earmarked by the Ebonyi State Government to support out-of-school students and those at risk of dropping out of tertiary institutions has allegedly been misappropriated. The funds were said to have been initially approved and allocated to assist students facing financial difficulties, with amounts varying, based on their course of study, starting from a minimum of 250,000 naira.

According to credible sources that spoke to FACTSHEET, the disbursement process has been marred by a dubious scheme involving fraudulent activities. According to our sources, beneficiaries were reportedly instructed to visit a private residence on Onwe Road, where they were to receive their payments through a Direct Transfer from a Zenith Bank account registered in the name of one Arc. Mbam Ogodo. The scandal deepens with claims that the funds are then subsequently redirected into a Diamond/Access bank account controlled by one Franklin Ogochukwu Nwambam with account number, 0042423132, through a kick-back arrangement.

The alleged scheme raises serious concerns about the integrity of the fund distribution process under the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration in Ebonyi State. There are suspicions that this operation may involve significant financial misconduct and corruption, undermining the intended purpose of the funds and denying rightful beneficiaries of their support.

One of the beneficiaries who wants her name concealed said she told our correspondent that “Im pleading with His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru to urgently intervene in this matter so that  suffering genuine students can benefit from this beautiful project.”

It will be recalled that another “empowerment” programme that was originally targeted at helping citizens of the state who were engaging in petty trading in various cities in Nigeria was also marred by accusations and counter accusations of mismanagement.