Nigeria Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) is in crisis, as some council members have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging misappropriation and conversion of $40,000 belonging to the association by its President, Abdulrasid Yarima.
NASME is the umbrella body for all Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.Led by Mike Alade, a member of the Governing Council and National Publicity Secretary of NASME, the council members also filed a suit against Yarima and trustees of the association at the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CV/2024.
The petition was signed by Miss Faidat Balogun of Adedunmade Onibokun and others on behalf of Alade and the council members. In the petition, the EFCC was urged to investigate the alleged misappropriation by Yarima.
“We wish to state that it has come to our client’s attention, along with several concerned members of NASME, that there are serious allegations of financial misconduct involving the president of our esteemed organisation.
“Specifically, allegations that the president has misappropriated the $40,000 donated by sponsors during our ECOWAS SME Summit on October 30, 2023, for the development and support of SMEs across the country, as well as its West African delegates,” the petition read.
The originating summons for the suit was filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja by NASME council members against the Board of Trustees, Abdulrasid Yarima and Dr Oko Aja.
