Outcry As Kogi Accountant-General Allegedly Orders Arrest, Detention Of Govt Critic For Months Without Trial
There is growing outrage across Kogi State following allegations that the state’s Accountant-General, Mrs Habiba Onumoko, ordered the arrest and prolonged detention of a vocal government critic, Mr Sadiq Abdulhameed, without trial.
SaharaReporters gathered that Abdulhameed, a known critic of the current administration, has been held for nearly 13 weeks after he was reportedly picked up by security operatives allegedly acting on the instruction of the Accountant-General.
Sources close to the matter say the detention was instigated following critical comments made by Abdulhameed about Onumoko’s alleged abuse of office and financial high-handedness within the state government.
One of the sources, who pleaded anonymity, said, “The Kogi AG is excessively abusing power in the state. I just got information that this boy has been detained for close to 13 weeks now by the Kogi State Accountant-General, Habiba Onumoko. The way the woman is acting like an emperor in Kogi State needs to be stopped immediately. We need to seek justice for this boy.”
There are widespread claims that Onumoko’s conduct within the corridors of power has bred tension among top government functionaries, particularly at the local government level. She is accused of persistently disregarding democratically elected local government chairmen and treating them with disdain.
“She addresses the LG chairmen like little children whenever they appear before her. She’s just an appointee, yet she talks down on people who were elected by the people. This is unacceptable,” another senior government official said.
In February, political activist and former member of the House of Representatives for Dekina/Bassa federal constituency, Hon. Usman Okai Austin, raised similar concerns about Onumoko’s unchecked influence.
Okai, in a public statement, accused the Accountant-General of usurping the functions of the Ministries of Finance and Humanitarian Affairs, sidelining key officials in the process.
He alleged that Onumoko had turned herself into a power bloc within Governor Usman Ododo’s administration, with most key civil servants reportedly afraid of crossing her path.
“The Accountant-General has hijacked the local government administration. Even the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) is afraid of approaching her. Directors of Local Government and treasurers now answer to her directly, not to the Commissioner or Deputy Governor,” Okai said.
He warned that her grip on the state’s financial machinery threatened transparency and the welfare of civil servants, especially with regard to the disbursement of salaries and pensions.
Several activists and community leaders have since joined the call for an urgent investigation into the alleged human rights violations and abuse of power linked to Onumoko.
They are also demanding the immediate release of Abdulhameed and compensation for his unlawful detention.
Efforts to reach the state police command for comment proved abortive, as calls to the Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, were not answered.
A text message sent on the matter was also not replied to as of press time.
There has been no official reaction from the Accountant-General’s office either. either.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
