I didn’t divert public funds – Adamawa deputy gov

NGILLARI-Adamawa-bigBy Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz and Muazu Abari, Yola

A cold war is now brewing in the  Adamawa state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with the state Deputy Governor, Barrister Bala James Ngillari, accusing some party stakeholders of vendetta.
he also described the impeachment process initiated by some lawmakers against him as “laughable.’’
Ngillari also refuted allegations that he diverted public funds to the tune of N50 million for acquiring licence for the exploration of solid minerals in the state since 2008, insisting that he had not divert a single kobo.
Ngillari stated these at a press conference in Yola, shortly after his arrival from medical trip from overseas, while reacting for the first time to the impeachment notice against him by the lawmakers.

He challenged the lawmakers to prove their allegations against him by giving details of the alleged diversion of funds.
He said: “It became incumbent on me,  despite the advise of my medical doctors, to address the press to clarify allegations of gross misconduct against me.
“I went for medical checkup abroad only for me to hear that the state House of Assembly have signed an impeachment notice against me for diverting N50 million for acquiring of mining license. I don’t want to comment much on this because the issue is still in court but there is need for me to clear the air because sometimes silence may be interpreted as consent.
“I did not divert a kobo and I challenge the lawmakers to give detail of how I diverted the money rather than making vague statements.”

He faulted the use of language in the impeachment notice and processes adopted by the lawmakers in their efforts to nail him and tarnish his image.
He added that “up till this moment” he had not been served with any impeachment notice, but only read it on the pages of newspapers.
“Those that are hell-bent on removing  me  from office were using terminologies to give bent to their allegations. That is why the used word ‘diversion of public funds’ and clearly failed to stipulate the time the event happened.’’

He said that he was ready to defend his integrity for the sake of posterity, particularly as the allegations against him were vague and lacking detailed particulars which should have been incorporated in a weighty allegation such as this.
Ngillari reiterated that he did not divert a single kobo of Adamawa funds as been alleged.
“In order to develop the vast mineral resources in Adamawa state, which were left untapped, I advised the governor to   invest in the mineral sub-sector with a view to reviving the ailing economic sector of the state.’’
According to him, he went into discussion with some investors in the mineral resources sector as there are a lot of mineral potentials that can be exploited, but added that they could only come to the state after mining licenses are provided and as such he proposed the sum of N50,380,400 and the money was utilised for that purpose.

The deputy governor, however, said that he was being vilified by some PDP chieftains within and outside the state.
“You can see, as leader of the party, the  stakeholders ought to have invited me to hear my side of the story when I was being accused.
“But, instead, they only deemed it fit to sit down and to declare that I should be removed.

“Those who are accusing me of diverting Adamawa state funds by saying that I wasted resources in the mineral sub-sector should have their heads examined as we initiated the project for the benefit of Adamawa state and I did not use the opportunity divert a single kobo.’’
Ngillari added that despite the persecution being meted to him by some PDP chieftains he still remains loyal to Jonathan, saying, “I will continue to maintain my loyalty and support to the president who God chose to lead us,’’ he said.
Following Governor Murtala Nyako’s decamping to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ngillari was made the leader of the PDP in Adamawa and enjoys President Jonathan’s support and backing towards the 2015 election.