Mbessey Benue Vigilante commandant arrested for fraud

George Mbessey, commandant of Benue State Vigilante Group(BSVG) has been arrested by the EFCC.

He is being held over allegation of conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public funds estimated at N449.5million.

Mbessey was arrested by operatives of the EFCC on 27 May in Makurdi.

The arrest followed a petition accusing him of financial recklessness.

The petitioners claimed that the BSVG used to receive its official funding of N20million monthly directly from the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs through its official account.

However, the petitioners claimed that between October 2018 and May 2020, Mbessey collected the funds using a personal account.

This act breached due process, the petitioners claimed.

The EFCC said Mbessey has given useful information.

He would be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is concluded, EFCC said.