Date: 2018-03-29

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has set up an investigative committee to look into the Kwara State House of Assembly's report on Harmony Holdings Limited (HHL), National Pilot, reliably gathered, last night.

The development is coming less than a month after the legislature ordered the immediate dissolution of the board and management of HHL on Tuesday 6th March, 2018, over alleged misappropriation of the state's assets across the country. The committee has three weeks to submit its findings to the Governor, it was gathered.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Isiaka Sola Gold confirmed the development in a telephone chat with this medium, yesterday. Gold, penultimate week, had cleared the air by confirming the receipt of the House's report on the issue, adding that the state government is already "acting on it and would make a pronouncement soon".

Many of those said to be involved in the matter according to the House report acquired choice property and lands at high brow locations in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna and Ilorin.

The lawmakers also noted that its six months findings showed that some of the property and lands were ridiculously undervalued and many others sold to self and cronies at outrageous prices.

The order was part of resolutions of the House adopted after the report of its Ad-hoc Committee on Allegations of Misappropriation Relating to Government Assets under the care of HHL chaired by House Leader, Hon Hassan Oyeleke.

Other members of the committee include, Hon Kamal Fagbemi, Hon AbdulRasheed Taiwo, Emmanuel Funsho Abodunrin, AbdulKadir Segilola, Victoria Bunmi Afolayan and Hon Ahmed Ibn Muhammed.

The Speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad while reading the resolutions of the House directed the Ministry of Justice to determine all monies paid into the personal account of its Executive Director, Mr Sanni Adebayo totaling N20 million market value of a land he acquired at Catchment Road, GRA Ilorin and another sum of N500,000 as rent due within 90 days.

Other resolution of the committee included; the appointment of a new board and management for the company and the immediate appointment of an Administrator for HHL in line with provision of the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) to take charge of its property and accounts.

The current tenant of Tourist Kitchen, Ilorin was also directed to vacate the property within 21 working days while the Ministry of Justice should fine tune all legal technicalities and award the property to a new client.

Since the issue was first reported, professional bodies and resource persons in the state, including NBA, NLC and Kwara Rebirth Ambassadors, among others have called for the alleged perpetrators to face justice and be brought to book.

A very top member in the cabinet who preferred not to be named because he was not authorised to speak officially on the matter, said the Governor has reportedly vowed to get to the root of the matter and has charged the committee to carry out the assignment "strictly in public interest".

The committee's report at the end of the exercise will be made public, it was further gathered.

According to the source, who is conversant with the development, the Governor charged the committee members to be very thorough.

"I can confirm to you that Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has set up a committee on Harmony Holdings Limited to look into the report raised by the Kwara State House of Assembly.

"He (Governor Ahmed) has also charged the committee with the responsibility to look thoroughly into the House report. After the Governors' committee submits its report, the Governor will look at it and treat it in line with laid down rules and the extant laws of the state.

"And it's going to be done strictly in public interest and also made available to the public at the end of the exercise", the source submitted.

But a retired senior civil servant in the state who spoke on the issue under anonymity faulted the lawmakers for calling for the dissolution of the board of HHL.

The retiree noted that the House by that order acted beyond its purview adding that it ought to have only submitted its findings and leave the government to act on it.

"The House acted beyond its jurisdiction by ordering the dissolution of board of HHL among other resolutions. It should only have made available its findings which the government will act upon. It is only the committee set up by the government that can recommend dissolution or other appropriate sanctions that goes along with their findings, "the retiree submitted.