The Minister of Regional Affairs, Uba Maigeri, has refuted allegations circulating on social media that he diverted N16.5 billion allocated for the reconstruction of the collapsed Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State.
The accusations were made by a social media user, Abdulmumuni Imam, who also claimed that the minister was plotting to have him arrested for criticizing the government’s handling of the project.
Imam also alleged that the minister had secretly secured a directive authorizing the Police, Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps , NSCDC, to detain him.
Speaking to journalists on Friday in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, the minister’s legal counsel, Dr Ibrahim Effiong, dismissed the allegations as unfounded and malicious.
He expressed concern over individuals “spreading rumors they cannot justify,” stressing that Maigeri, whom he described as “a reputable member of the bar,” had done nothing wrong.
Effiong acknowledged that Nigerians are entitled to freedom of expression but warned that such rights should not be misused.
“People should not use social media to run others down. If you make serious allegations, you must also be ready to justify them when called upon,” he said.
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