Taraba Lawmakers Deny N150bn Bribery Allegation, Defend Bond Approval

Members of the Taraba State House of Assembly have dismissed allegations that they received a N150 billion bribe before approving a N350 billion bond for Governor Agbu Kefas.

Reacting to the reports on Friday, the lawmakers described the claims as “baseless and false.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state had earlier criticized the approval of the bond, questioning the absence of a clear utilization and repayment plan. The opposition also raised concerns over financial management, noting that despite an increase in federal allocations from N3 billion to N13 billion monthly, along with higher internally generated revenue (IGR), there has been little visible development.

In response, House Committee Chairman on Information, Nelson Len, dismissed the bribery allegations while addressing journalists in Jalingo.

“No government can operate successfully without collecting loans,” Len stated, emphasizing that the bond was lawfully processed and that legislators did not receive any financial inducement before granting approval.

“The claim that we were given N150 billion is false, baseless, and misleading. This bond was approved to drive development in Taraba State. It will be accessed in N20 billion tranches and allocated to meaningful projects,” he asserted.

The lawmakers also rejected accusations of being a rubber stamp for the governor, insisting on their independence and commitment to accountability.

“We are not puppets to the governor,” Len declared, reaffirming the Assembly’s role in ensuring transparency in governance.