According to him, he had been involved in the Fax Correspondences in respect of the Purchases but
did not play any part in the Pricing and Delivery of the Equipment and did not know how much was
paid for them. He could only remember Three (3) of the Purchased Equipment stating finally, that it
was a Direct Dealing between the Ministry of Works and Julius Berger Plc.
If indeed, it was a Direct Dealing between Julius Berger Plc., and the Ministry of Works, the Question
must be asked, What was the business of Ebenezer Retnan Ventures to participate in their
Relationship?
By sheer twist, DW9, Honourable Banahel Andong, the Member of the House of Assembly
representing Bokkos Constituency, one of the areas affected by Erosion, who took part in the Passing
of the Direct Labour Bill into Law as well as the Commissioning of these Vehicles, Plants and
Equipment, stated that the Purchase of these Items were appropriated for by the Plateau State House
of Assembly. In fact, he agreed with the Prosecution that the Take-Off Grant for the Purchase of
Equipment were Appropriated by the House of Assembly. According to him, the Equipment were
bought from Julius Berger and moved the Direct Labour Agency’s Office and he also supervised their
Works. However, he did not know the Source of the Funds to Purchase the Equipment and did not
know how the Government receives Funds but only knew of Statutory Allocations.
Now, if the Testimony of Honourable Andong is to be believed, to what end was the Loan by Ebenezer
Retnan Ventures, since the Plateau State Government in its Budget, had already appropriated Funds.
In the grand scheme of things, Loans are usually sought by Person or Persons who need them and not
by those who do not. Loans cannot be foisted on anyone, who ought to know what Steps to take to get
it. PW5, the Present Accountant General of Plateau State had already elaborately set out these Steps.
His testimony was not shaken under Cross-Examination as to the Channels to be followed and he had
also stated that he had never heard an instance, where a Person lends money to a State. It is noted,
that the Borrowing Institutions related by this Witness, did not include an Individual, as he had only
explained the instances of borrowing from a Financial Institution or a Bank. It is not in evidence that
the Defendant’s Ebenezer Retnan Ventures, is a Financial Institution or Bank.
Therefore, as happened in this case, it is expected that there be some form of FORMALITY about the
Loan by Ebenezer Retnan Ventures to the Plateau State Government. It cannot be a unilateral decision
and act carried out by Ebenezer Retnan Ventures. They had to have reached out to someone in
Government, who would have explained the process of receiving loans from Financial Institutions.
Mr. Cyril Tsenyil, the Present Accountant General of Plateau State had stated further, that even when
an Approval is made in Anticipation of Ratification, the Later Approval, would normalize the Earlier
Approval, and it is for the Accountant General, upon sighting the Governor’s Approval, to Process
Payment for these Monies, which the Defendant, has aptly described as Repayment for the Loan he
granted his State.
The Court will recall the testimony rendered by Detective Musa Sunday, who stated that his own
investigation revealed that Ebenezer Retnan Ventures had NO Contractual Relationship with the
Plateau State Government. His Team had questioned the then Substantive Accountant General, Mr.
Shem Damisa, the then Deputy Director, Treasury, Mr. Nuhu Madaki and the then Deputy Director
Inspectorate II, Mr. Silas Von-But, to ascertain the Contractual Relationship between Plateau State
Government and Ebenezer Retnan Ventures but they could not produce any Jobs executed, or
Contract Agreements, when they were confronted with this fact, which is astonishing to say the least.
These top Government Officials could not explain how they ended up endorsing Cheques and
Effecting Payments in such a huge amount for a Purpose, they had no clue about!!
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