EFCC drills Yakmut for 6hrs

BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC),   Mallam Alhassan Yakmut has described his recent invitation by the anti- graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (ECCC) last week as a result of a petition written by some people who were not happy with his appointment.
Yakmut told  Sports Vanguard in Abuja that the EFCC drilled him for about six hours over a petition which claimed among other things that he was not qualified to be promoted to the office after d exit of d former DG, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye.
Yakmut   He also revealed that the petitioner whom he refused to name told the agency that he was elevated to his current position by those who wanted to use him to divert public funds.
“Yes I was invited to the EFCC and I was there for six hours because they were very professional, they were thorough, very efficient. They wanted to substantiate the credibility of the petition before them.
“The petitioner started  with a serious allegation that I was a creation of manipulation to siphon funds by d immediate past minister but the petitioner didn’t mention that I have a Masters degree, the petitioner said I was desperate to become director general. I don’t know how some1 who has spent 25 yr at the Sports Commission with a Masters degree and a core professional who has also passed the Permanent Secretary as far back as last year should be described as someone who is desperate.
“I wasn’t excited about the request and I refused to be agitated, I presented all the facts. There was a phantom claim that I have executed street lights with d All Africa Games funds to d tune of N109 million naira. All that we did as we have announced is 43 street lights to secure the athletes hostel and entrance into the stadium for the sum of N21 million naira & it was approved by the management and the minutes was signed by nine directors, only one director that did not sign & has made maximally the requirements of due process.
“We also sought the approval of the DG budget on the N750 million which was clearly stated that the amount was strictly for the preparation for the All Africa Games and the Olympics as well as participation for sporting activities. And when we gave them the expenditure that the sum of N685m out of that money has been expended so far and all athletes are in camp, yet the petitioner claimed our participation was in jeopardy. In fact the EFCC was wondering whether they were investigating an expenditure that was done after the event or before the event.”
Yakmut who said he will not be hampered by such antics added that many people who are not core professionals still think they can continue in the old way of putting square pegs in round holes.