The Executive Secretary of the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency, Echuseh Audu, has formally requested an investigation into allegations that she diverted relief materials meant for vulnerable residents in the state.
DAILY POST gathered that Audu personally reported herself to several security and investigative bodies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Office of the Special Adviser on Security to the Governor, and the Taraba State Ministry of Justice, calling for a comprehensive and transparent probe.
The SEMA boss, who supervises the distribution of humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons and low-income households, also denied the allegations and said an independent investigation is necessary to clear her name.
In a telephone interview on Sunday, Audu told DAILY POST that her decision to submit herself to authorities was aimed at protecting the integrity of the agency and preventing any assumption of guilt.
“An allegation was made; keeping silent by law means I have consented. We have worked so hard to build a reputation for Taraba SEMA and to support the vulnerable,” she said.
She cautioned that the allegations, which have circulated widely on social media by Abdulmuni Imam, could damage public confidence and weaken support from donor organisations, stressing the need to maintain credibility.
“So many things are at stake. We have to build trust and confidence and clear doubts. That is why I presented myself for investigation by the authorities,” she added.
In a viral social media platform post, the accuser, Abdulmuni Imam, alleged that the agency’s leadership diverted large quantities of relief items, including over 10,000 bags of rice and more than 1,000 cartons of groundnut oil, allegedly sold outside the state.
Arguing that no documentary evidence has been presented by Imam to substantiate the allegations, Audu challenged her accusers to provide verifiable proof, insisting that accountability must be based on facts.
“If I am guilty, I should be brought to justice. If not, I should be cleared because in the future it can be used against me if the allegation is not properly investigated,” she said.
She also questioned the practicality of the alleged diversion, noting that moving such volumes of goods would require logistics that should be easily traceable.
“For over 1,000 cartons of groundnut oil and 10,000 bags of rice to leave SEMA stores, it would require at least two trailer loads. The movement and where the goods were sold should not be difficult to trace by the police,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the police said steps have been initiated to investigate the matter.
“The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has invited Abdulmumin Imam, who reportedly made the claims, to appear before investigators on April 1, 2026,” the police said, noting that the case under review involves allegations of cyberbullying, criminal defamation, and criminal intimidation.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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