have the Sum of Ten Million Naira (N10, 000, 000.00) at his Personal
Disposal, and the Court cannot conjecture what he would have used the
Money for, especially for a Twenty Four (24) Hour Activity. Assuming the
Visit was for Two to Five Days, the Amount at his Personal Dispensation
would have been staggering. The Sum of Ten Million Naira in Year 2007 is
not equivalent to the same Sum in Year 2018. The Court is aware of
ExhibitAA2, the Taraba State Civil Servant’s Payroll for the Governor, and
notes that as at April 2007, his Monthly Salary was Four Hundred and
Fifteen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty Seven Naira, Thirty Six Kobo
(N415, 857.36), a Figure under a Quarter of a Million Naira.
This indeed is Food For Thought.
As regards Fuelling of Generating Sets/Vehicles for Convoy & Guest to
Gembu and other Towns, the Sum of Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand
Naira (N8, 500, 000.00) was allocated. This expense was said to be after he
became aware that the President was flying straight to the Project Site. If the
Defendant had stated that Fuelling of Vehicles and the Generating Sets were
for the Vehicles and Generating Sets in Mambila Plateau, then perhaps that
would have been understandable. A careful look at Exhibits O1 and O3
would show that the Activities for the Vehicles and Generating Sets were
almost similar. In Exhibit O1, it was for Maintenance of the Vehicles and
Overhauling of the Generating Sets, whilst in Exhibit O3 it was for the
FUELLING of the Vehicles and Generating Sets. These items could easily
have been accommodated under one Memo. The Court curiously observes
that the Fuelling of these Vehicles and Generating Sets was to convey the
Convoy and Guests to Gembu and other Towns, and did not involve the
Vehicles and Generators at the Project Site. Even if the Convoy was a
Hundred Cars long, and the Generating Sets were up to a Hundred, it is
ridiculous that the cost amounted to Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand
Naira Only (N8, 500, 000.00)
These expenses were Government Expenses and it is expected, that Invoices
and Receipts were furnished to the Office of the Ministry of Finance for the
Retirement of Funds. But no such evidence was furnished and the payment
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