Former Burutu Chairmanship Aspirants Urge EFCC, ICPC to Probe Council Finances

By Effie Zipamome 

A forum of 20 former chairmanship aspirants in the 2024 Burutu Local Government Council election in Delta State has called on relevant anti-corruption agencies to examine the finances and expenditure of the Burutu Local Government Council under the administration of its Chairman, Mr. Julius Takeme.

The group, in a statement signed on behalf of the members by Hon. Jude Angodideke, Hon. Paul Oruma, Hon. Duncan Tamaradoubra Forcados, Chief Godspower Tomone, Hon. Chief Lucky Feizy Oweimieotu, Hon. Stephen Eniekezimene and Hon. Comrade Ozobo Austin, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the council’s revenues and expenditure from July 2024 through the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years.

The former aspirants alleged that the council had received substantial statutory allocations and other revenues during the period under review but questioned whether the expenditure had translated into sufficient development projects across the local government area.

They specifically cited figures which they said included an allocation of about N8.7 billion in the council’s 2025 budget and a proposed N15 billion budget for 2026. They also raised questions about revenues received during the second half of 2024.

The group called for a comprehensive public account of the funds received and spent by the council, including statutory allocations and other legitimate sources of revenue.

Call for Financial Accountability

The former aspirants said their concerns were primarily about transparency, accountability and the implementation of development projects in Burutu Local Government Area.

They questioned the pace of work on some ongoing projects, including the council secretariat and legislative complex, and urged relevant authorities to verify the amounts appropriated and expended on such projects.

The group also expressed concern over what it described as persistent development challenges in the riverine local government area, including poor road access, flooding, inadequate public facilities, water supply challenges and youth unemployment.

According to the statement, the group believes that greater transparency in the management of council resources would enable residents and stakeholders to better understand how public funds are being utilised.

The former aspirants further alleged that elected council legislators and other stakeholders had not been given sufficient access to information concerning the council's finances.

They therefore called for an independent review of the council’s financial records, including allocations, internally generated revenue and expenditure during the period under review.

Appeal to State Government and Anti-Graft Agencies

The group also appealed to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the Delta State House of Assembly to examine the issues raised and encourage greater accountability within the local government administration.

They urged the EFCC and ICPC to independently examine the council’s financial records if deemed necessary and determine whether there were any breaches of financial regulations or applicable laws.

The former aspirants said their request was not intended to prejudge the outcome of any investigation but to ensure that public resources are properly accounted for.

They also called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youth organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders in Burutu to take an interest in the development and financial administration of the local government.

Allegations Require Verification

The allegations contained in the statement have not been independently verified by FocalPoint Reports.

There is also no finding of financial wrongdoing against the council chairman contained in the statement beyond the allegations made by the former aspirants. Any determination of whether public funds were misappropriated would require examination of official financial records and, where appropriate, investigation by the competent authorities.

Mr. Julius Takeme and the Burutu Local Government Council were not quoted in the statement made available to FocalPoint Reports. The council chairman and relevant officials would therefore be entitled to respond to the allegations and provide their own account of the council’s revenues, expenditure and development activities.

The former aspirants said they would continue to pursue their demand for greater transparency and accountability through lawful and institutional channels.