Benue orders three ex-Lobi Stars officials to refund N2.4bn

The Benue State Government has ordered three former vice chairmen of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi to refund N2.4 billion into the government coffers.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, disclosed in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Makurdi.

The statement said that the order was necessitated by the white paper report on the forensic audit investigation into the club’s affairs between January 2020 and September 2024.

NAN reports that Governor Hyacinth Alia had on October 7, 2024, inaugurated a Forensic Audit Investigation Committee led by Donatus San-Chir-Igba to examine the funds of Lobi Stars.

The terms of reference included studying handover notes submitted by the outgoing board, identifying the club’s income, making recommendations on appropriate actions to be taken in the interest of the club, and advising the government on the way forward.

According to the report, which was submitted on November 24, 2024, N3.7bn accrued to the club during the period in question, but only N1.3bn was accounted for, leaving a difference of N2.4bn.

The statement read, “The breakdown indicates that Mr. Mike Idoko and others who worked with him are to refund the sum of N243 million for the period of 2020-2021.

“Mr Emmanuel Taman and others who worked under him are to refund N434.3m for 2021-2022. Mr. Dominic Iorfa and others are to refund the sum of N692.4 million for 2022-2023 and N702.8 million for 2023-2024 as well as N371.4 million for 2024-2024.

“The committee made it clear that all individuals and companies involved in financial transactions with the club within the time covered were formally invited and given a fair hearing.

“The committee recommended, among other things, that Lobi Stars be registered as a full company with the responsibility to generate revenue and that funds from the club’s sponsors be deposited directly into the club’s account.

“The report also advocated for the independence of the club, stating that the Ministry of Sports should no longer control or interfere in the day-to-day running of the club.”

NAN