The Benue State Government has instructed three former vice-chairmen of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi to return a total of N2.4 billion to the state treasury.
Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, revealed this directive in a statement issued on Friday in Makurdi. The order follows the release of a white paper report on the forensic audit of the club’s financial activities between January 2020 and September 2024.
Governor Hyacinth Alia had established a Forensic Audit Investigation Committee on October 7, 2024, under the leadership of Donatus San-Chir-Igba. The committee’s mission was to review Lobi Stars’ finances, focusing on the income and expenditure of the club.
The report, submitted on November 24, 2024, revealed that Lobi Stars had accrued N3.7 billion in revenue during the investigation period. However, only N1.3 billion was accounted for, leaving a discrepancy of N2.4 billion.
The statement indicated that the former vice-chairmen and their associates were instructed to refund the following amounts:
- Mr. Mike Idoko and his team are to repay N243 million for 2020-2021.
- Mr. Emmanuel Taman and his colleagues are to return N434.3 million for 2021-2022.
- Mr. Dominic Iorfa and his team are required to refund N692.4 million for 2022-2023, N702.8 million for 2023-2024, and N371.4 million for 2024-2025.
The report further emphasized that all individuals and companies involved in financial dealings with the club during this period were invited for a fair hearing.
Additionally, the committee recommended that Lobi Stars be registered as an independent company with a focus on revenue generation. It also suggested that funds from the club’s sponsors be deposited directly into its account, with an end to the Ministry of Sports’ interference in the club’s day-to-day operations.
