The Guardian (Nigeria)

Federal government investigat­es ex- sports minister over alleged sale of property in Benin City

- By Gowon Akpodonor

Aformer sports minister may have walked into troubled waters for allegedly selling land and other property belonging to Zone 2 of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Developmen­t in Benin City, Edo State capital.

Already, the Sports Ministry has dispatched a team to Benin City to ascertain the items allegedly sold by the ex- sports minister.

A source close to the sports ministry told The Guardian that the former sports minster ( names withheld) sold the land and other valuable items belonging to Zone 2 in Etete Quarters, GRA in Benin City. The items were allegedly sold to some politician­s and close friends of the exsports minister a few years ago.

The bubble burst a few days ago when an official of the sports ministry drew the attention of the permanent secretary and current Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, to the ‘ secret’ deal.

“We just heard that the land belonging to the sports ministry’s zonal office in Etete Quarters GRA, Benin City, was sold by a former sports minister to some politician­s and his close friends,” the source said. “We also heard that some officers, who were dispatched to Benin City to investigat­e it ( the properties) will be returning to Abuja today ( yesterday).”

Contacted on the issue yesterday, the Minister of Youths and Sports Developmen­t, Sunday Dare, neither confirmed nor denied the story. He said: “I will check with my Permanent Secretary ( PS) and revert.”

 ??  ?? Super Eagles’ midfielder, Chidera Ejuke and forward, Victor Osimhen, go for the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde in Mindelo… on Tuesday.
Super Eagles’ midfielder, Chidera Ejuke and forward, Victor Osimhen, go for the ball during the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde in Mindelo… on Tuesday.

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