Ex-Senator Laah Embroiled in N390M Scandal: Community Demands Justice

By Emmanuel Kwada

Former Senator Danjuma Tella Laah, who represented Kaduna South Senatorial District from 2015 to 2023 at the 8th and 9th Assembly, is being accused by the people of the zone of impropriety and unwarranted collection of N390,000,000 (Three hundred and ninety million naira). This amount was meant for Zonal Intervention Projects and Capital Projects in their zone.

According to the Southern Kaduna Projects in the Appropriation Act 2019 to 2024/Zonal Intervention Programme (ZIP) 2023 document, N190,000,000 (one hundred and ninety million) was for Zonal Intervention Projects and N200,000,000 (two hundred million naira) for Capital Projects.

He made the collections via Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) barely 14 months after he lost his seat and as an inactive senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

He made the collections via Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) barely 14 months after he lost his seat and as an inactive senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is on record that the 9th Assembly ended on 11th June 2023, and henceforth, Sen. Laah ceased to be the representative of the people of Southern Kaduna Senatorial District at the Senate.

However, to their chagrin, he collected the monies without making any formal declaration, as if it was meant for self-aggrandizement.

Some of the projects that the N390M targeted to finance include:

Construction of Zango-Kataf-Kwali Road (worth N75,000,000)
Developing of standard livestock housing for selected livestock species at National Livestock Training Center, Kachia (N17,625,000)
Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Of Kwoi – Kafanchan Road (N200,000,000)
and many others.

The people of Kaduna South have decried the inappropriate channeling of their resources and are challenging the illegalities of such an act. They lamented the impractical execution of the said projects as captured in the Kaduna South Senatorial District Projects in the Appropriation Act 2019 to 2024 document/ZIP 2023.

They are perplexed by the ease with which former Sen. Laah accessed and collected these funds on their behalf, even when he is no longer their representative at the Senate.

The people of Kaduna South Senatorial District are demanding answers and calling for an investigation into the matter. They want to know why former Senator Laah was allowed to collect funds meant for their district’s development projects, despite no longer being their representative.

We are shocked and disappointed that our funds were handed over to someone who is no longer our senator

“We are shocked and disappointed that our funds were handed over to someone who is no longer our senator,” said a community leader from Kaduna South. “This is unacceptable and we demand accountability.”

The community is also questioning the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labour and Productivity, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Ministry of Transportation, and the Senate for their role in releasing the funds to former Senator Laah.

“We want to know why these ministries and agencies failed to verify whether Senator Laah was still our representative before releasing the funds,” said another community member.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been petitioned to investigate the matter and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The EFCC should take immediate action to recover the funds and prosecute those involved in this fraudulent act

“The EFCC should take immediate action to recover the funds and prosecute those involved in this fraudulent act,” said a concerned citizen.

The people of Kaduna South Senatorial District are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the investigation and hoping that justice will be served.

“We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable and our funds are recovered,” said the community leader.

The case has sparked widespread outrage and concern among Nigerians, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in government.

This is a clear case of corruption and abuse of power

“This is a clear case of corruption and abuse of power,” said a social media user. “Those responsible must be brought to justice.”

The EFCC has promised to investigate the matter and ensure that justice is served.

“We will leave no stone unturned in our investigation,” said an EFCC spokesperson. “Those found guilty will face the full wrath of the law.”

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