Delta State Government has said that it uncovered an attempt by a certain criminal syndicate to defraud it of billions of naira, which the gang wanted to swindle from the salary vouchers for the state ministries, department and agencies.
At least five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident even as the security personnel began searching for other accomplices believed to be at large.
Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Mr David Edevbie, disclosed this to newsmen at the Government House Asaba on Wednesday, saying that the sudden discovery of the planned fraud has delayed payment of salaries to state employees.
This is coming at the heels of approval by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of the sum of N372.9 million for the payment of fees for the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) and National Business and Technical Board (NABTEB) examinations for students in senior post-primary and vocational schools across the state.
In a statement read on his behalf by the state commissioner for information, Mr Patrick Ukah, the finance finance commissioner disclosed that as soon as hint on the huge financial fraud reached him last Wednesday, Dr Okowa swiftly ordered an investigation.
The information commissioner, who was flanked by Chief James Augoye; Mr. Chiedu Ebie and Arch. Joseph Ogeh, the commissioners for works, basic and secondary education and housing, respectively, was briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state executive council meeting presided over by the governor.
Edevbie said that the state's "Permanent Secretary cum Accountant-General" had received vital information about the criminal plot or threat on the said date and immediately alerted the governor who promptly directed the police and the relevant bank to swing into action. "He also directed the Permanent Secretary/Accountant-General to put in place, additional control measures to forestall future attempts on the Account", he further said.
Nonetheless, the finance commissioner stressed that Okowa was determined to run a transparent and corruption-free administration as well as ensure that its workers were paid promptly and regularly.
The statement read in part, "The State policy with regards to the payment of worker’s salaries is to ensure that its general workforce are paid on or before the end of the month. However, in the case of January 2016, where salaries were paid between 8th and 9th of February 2016, it has become necessary to brief the press and the general public on the reason for this delay.