for Receipt of Duty Tour Allowances. Talking of the Aircraft, this expense
was for a Receivable Service and definitely there had to be Documentation
but none was produced.
The Third and Final Memo in Exhibit O2, sought for the Approval for
Provisions for Publicity, Print, Electronic Media Life Coverage and News in
the Sum of Seventeen Million Naira (N17, 000, 000.00), as well as
Souvenirs/Honorarium in the Sum of Ten Million Naira (N10, 000, 000.00),
totalling the Sum of Twenty Seven Million Naira (N27, 000, 000.00)
The Defendant in his Evidence in Chief stated that in anticipation of the
President’s Visit, it was imperative for them to make proper Security
Arrangement, Publicity, Logistics for Visitors and Prominent Persons, as well
as Honorarium. He explained that the giving of Honorarium is common in
this kind of Event because the State Government is expected to show
appreciation to the Invitees, such as the Emirs, Chiefs and the Entourage that
came with the President.
Under Cross-Examination, the Defendant was referred to the last portion of
his Third Statement in Exhibit Z5, which read inter alia,
“...whilst on Site realised we needed to do more to get the complete
attention of the Indigenes, I had to request an additional Twenty Seven
Million Naira to cater for other other (sic) expenses”.
By the above Extract of his Statement, it can be seen that the Defendant was
present at the Site, presumably at Mambila Plateau when he realised this
need. It is also clear that he granted the Approval for the Sum of Twenty
Seven Million Naira (N27, 000, 000.00). The question to be asked therefore
is, when did he get to the Site? How realistic was it that the Defendant got a
call late on the 10th of April 2007, by the President’s own Chief of Staff, who
had notified him that the President would be visiting the State but was not
told of the Actual Destination of Mr. President less than 48 hours from the
President’s Departure!!!
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