The Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari, has strongly denied allegations that he misappropriated ₦16.5 billion allocated for the reconstruction of the collapsed Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Speaking to journalists in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, through his lead counsel, Ibrahim Effiong, Maigari described the claims as baseless and deliberately designed to mislead the public.
Effiong disclosed that the minister has initiated legal proceedings against the individual behind the allegations, a social media activist named Abdulmumuni Imam, for making unverified claims.
“Despite the serious nature of his accusations, Mr. Imam has failed to provide any evidence and has reportedly gone into hiding,” Effiong stated.
The lawyer emphasized that making public allegations without proof is a criminal offense under both the Nigerian Constitution and the Cybercrime Act, and said pursuing legal action is necessary to deter the growing trend of false and malicious claims on social media.
Imam had previously raised an alarm on social media, claiming that he faced secret government security orders, allegedly directing the police, DSS, and civil defence to arrest him over his criticisms of government inaction on the collapsed bridge.
He also alleged that the Federal Executive Council had approved funds for the emergency reconstruction project.
The minister’s office reiterated that all funds allocated for the Namnai Bridge reconstruction have been properly accounted for, and that the allegations are entirely without merit.
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