The Benue State Government should no longer sponsor Lobi Stars FC of Markudi, this is one of the recommendations of the State’s Audit Committee Sports247 reports.
Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on the 7th of October, 2024, inaugurated a Forensic Audit Investigation Committee led by San-Chir-Igba Donatus, ACA, to examine the funds of Lobi Stars Football Club, Makurdi.
The terms of reference included studying the handover notes submitted by the outgoing board of the club, identifying the club’s income, making recommendations to the government on appropriate actions to be taken in the interest of the club, and advising the government on the way forward.
The forensic audit report which was submitted on the 24th of November, 2024, shows that over two billion naira of the club money were not accounted for by former club officials.
The forensic investigation shows that only over one billion was captured in the account and the various personalities involved in the running of the club have been told to refund the deficit over the period under the review.
A release from the state secretary reads : ” Three former vice chairmen of Lobi Stars Football Club, Makurdi, are to refund the sum of two billion, four hundred and forty-five million, twelve thousand, five hundred and ninety-six naira, ninety-two kobo (₦2,445,012,596.92) to the coffers of the club”.
This follows the White Paper report on the Forensic Audit Investigation into Lobi Stars Football Club for the period of January 2020 to September 2024, released by the Benue State government.
In order to curb this alarming corruption and unaccountability, the Audit committee recommended, among other things, that Lobi Stars be registered as a full company with the responsibility to generate revenue, and that funds from the club’s sponsors be deposited directly into the club’s account.
The committee also asked for the independence of the club, stating that the Ministry of Sports should no longer control or interfere in the day-to-day running of the club.
These two recommendations are unprecedented in the history of state owned clubs as the state government is the majority financier of their clubs and sports ministry has always been in charge of the day to day running of the club.
The implications of this recommendation means that Lobi Stars will henceforth run as a private entity whose profit and loss account as well tax filing will be detailed to the relevant authority of the state.
