The Minister of State for Regional Development, Uba Maigari, has rejected claims that he diverted N16.5 billion allocated for the rebuilding of the collapsed Namnai Bridge in Gassol Local Government Area, Taraba State.
Speaking through his lead lawyer, Ibrahim Effiong, in Jalingo, the state capital, Maigari described the allegations as “baseless and deliberately intended to mislead the public.”
The minister has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Abdulmumuni Imam, a social media activist who raised the accusations.
Effiong said Imam has failed to provide any evidence to support his claims and has gone into hiding.
“Making such serious allegations without proof is an offense under the Nigerian Constitution and the Cybercrime Act.
”Legal action is necessary to discourage the growing trend of unverified and malicious claims circulating on social media,” the lawyer added.
Abdulmumuni Imam had claimed that the Federal Executive Council approved N16.5 billion for the urgent reconstruction of the collapsed Namnai Bridge.
He further alleged that the minister had secured a security order directing police, DSS, and civil defence to arrest him due to his public criticism of government inaction on the bridge.
Maigari, however, insisted that the accusations were false and intended to tarnish his reputation, emphasising that proper legal recourse has been taken against the activist.
