NDDC saga: Reps summon Akpabio, NDDC MD

July 17, 2020
142 Views

Advertisement GET CASH _970px X 250px

The minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has been summoned to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta over the alleged N40 billion missing from the coffers of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Also summoned by the investigative committee is the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, who walked out on the committee on Thursday. Akpabio denies all allegations, set to sue ex NDDC MD for defamation NDDC: Buhari orders coordinated investigation

The duo of Akpabio and Pondei are expected to appear before the committee on Monday at 11 am.

The committee had, on Wednesday, interrogated officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Auditor-General of the Federation over an alleged N82.5bn spent by the NNDC between January and May 2020. The committee alleged that the NDDC also spent N248m on stakeholders’ engagement from February 18 to May 31, 2020. The Auditor-General, Anthony Ayine, and the representative of the Accountant-General, Sabo Mohammed, confirmed the N81.5bn transactions being investigated.

Meanwhile,  Prof Pondei had walked out on members of the committee on Thursday after accusing its chairman, Hon. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo (APC-Ondo), of corruption. “We in the NDDC are not comfortable with the Chairman of this committee presiding over a matter.

“He is an accused party. “The NDDC has, over time accused, Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo of different crimes against the NDDC and he has responded in the press. Akpabio, on his part, has said he had no knowledge of any illegal dealings in the NDDC. Ousted managing director of the NDDC, Joy Nunieh, had accused Akpabio of orchestrating her removal from office because she refuse to participate in fraudulent activities.

Nunieh, a former Acting Managing Director of Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission, served as NDDC acting MD between October 29, 2019 to February 28, 2020 before the committee was sacked. She alleged that Akpabio engineered her removal from office for failing to dance to his tunes regarding spending in the commission.

Nunieh said: “Nobody makes any payment in NDDC without Godswill Akpabio’s approval. When we first came, on the day of the inauguration, he said to me in the car, ‘Madam MD, if you don’t do what I say, the same pen with which I used to sign your paper is the same pen I’ll use to remove you.”

You may be interested

Pride Begets Downfall — Anglican Cleric Tells Church Members, As ACORA Marks 2024 Palm Sunday in Grand Style
News
News

Pride Begets Downfall — Anglican Cleric Tells Church Members, As ACORA Marks 2024 Palm Sunday in Grand Style

Webby - March 24, 2024

By Izunna Okafor, Awka Ear-piercing echoes of Hosanna rent the air in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State on…

Bassey To Miss Super Eagles’ Friendly Game Against Mali With Injury
Sports
Sports

Bassey To Miss Super Eagles’ Friendly Game Against Mali With Injury

Webby - March 24, 2024

Calvin Bassey is set to miss the Super Eagles friendly game against Eagles of Mali due to injury.Bassey did not…

IPOB dares military, heads for court over member declared wanted
News
3 views
News
3 views

IPOB dares military, heads for court over member declared wanted

Webby - March 24, 2024

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Sunday called on the Defence Headquarters to direct its energy to Finland-based legal…

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.