Chief Audu Ogbeh, Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources has denied his involvement in the N5.8billion supply and distribution of the controversial food grains to victims of Boko Haram attacks in the North-East.

Audu Aogbeh

“We did not attend any meeting concerning the Federal Government’ grains. Our mandate is to keep the Federal Government’s stock, but on this N5.8bn, it appears the Central Bank of Nigeria decided to engage four companies. So, I will say we are not aware. We are not involved.”

The House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness has been investigating the N5.8billion contracts. The committee, which is chaired by Mr. Ali Isa, is investigating the expenditure of N17.8bn by the National Emergency Management Agency in the last one year.

The House had ordered the investigation after petitions alleged that the Director-General of NEMA, Mr. Mustapha Maihaja, awarded contracts to several firms in violation of due process.

Mr. Mustapha Maihaja had stayed away from the hearing at the National Assembly for the third consecutive time, forcing the panel to threaten to have him arrested if he failed to turn up on May 31.