NDDC – Corruption fighting back

By Samuel Ovbigho Omogor

“The biggest shocker came yesterday when the Deputy President of the Senate Ovie Omo-Agege dissociated himself from the letter that was purportedly written from his office by the Clerk of the National Assembly to the EFCC Chairman to probe Chief Akpabio, a letter his aides have been bragging about for weeks.”

In the last few weeks the issue of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) purportedly embezzling ₦40 Billion has occupied the air space, with threats of EFCC arresting the likes of the AEDP of NDDC Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Sen. Godswill Akpabio.

We all know where these allegations and threats emanated from, but when some of us said those allegations were baseless, and that no ₦40 Billion was missing, they told us they had “HARD FACTS.”

But I have always wondered how people can claim to have “hard facts” over what never existed? My only pain was for those supposedly young “EDUCATED” citizens of the region, particularly those from Delta state who, out of crass ignorance, have always allowed themselves to be so fooled consistently by these same people.

I think it’s evil, irresponsible and wicked to deliberately concoct lies to destroy others just for your selfish interest. It’s ungodly too.

The biggest shocker came yesterday when the Deputy President of the Senate Ovie Omo-Agege dissociated himself from the letter that was purportedly written from his office by the Clerk of the National Assembly to the EFCC Chairman to probe Chief Akpabio, a letter his aides have been bragging about for weeks.

He denied ever instructing anyone or agency to probe the Minister.

Now, I ask those with “hard facts”, “Who approached the EFCC with a petition, since Oga at the top has said he didn’t direct anybody to do such a thing?” At least we still need to find “AWA ₦40B” dont we?

We can’t let such a homogeneous amount to be stolen by just few men. No way. Somebody should take the Bull by the horn, and go submit those “HARD FACTS” to Ibrahim Magu, after all, the EFCC has been so quiet for some time now.

Every enlightened Nigerian should know that the prevalence of Covid-19 has distorted everything including the implementation of even the entire 2020 National Budget. So I doubt if NDDC has even gotten it’s appropriations. I continue to wonder from where in the world, IMC got ₦40 Billion from. Very laughable isn’t it?

Meanwhile, as the DPS was dissociating himself from that letter, the Chairman House Committee on SDGs Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye was dissociating himself and his committee from and making clarifications about another false allegation of financial misappropriation of N33 Bilion against the SSAP-SDG Princess Orelope Adefulire and her office.

It’s obvious some groups of people at the National Assembly, are very obsessed with the amount, ₦40 Billion!

I stand with our President, Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to sanitise the NDDC and my hope is that, all those who have stolen our common wealth through the NDDC, be brought to Justice.

In so doing, I will not support lies concocted against innocent people, aimed at taunting them and the outcome of the Forensic Audit. It is a known fact that most of the companies that have collected huge contracts from the NDDC over the years are either owned by members of the National Assembly or those related to them.

It is President Mohammadu Buhari’s constitutional right to decide what happens at all agencies under the Federal Government of Nigeria, and he has decided that a forensic audit should be carried out on the accounts and operations of NDDC from day one, and Chief Akpabio is the supervising Minister.

So let it be known to liars and agents of looters, that their role is part of corruption fighting back. Neither Pres. Buhari, Senator Akpabio nor the IMC, will be deterred by corruption fighting back.

One last question, “WHO ARE THOSE AFRAID OF THE FORENSIC AUDIT?”

* Samuel Ovbigho Omogor, a Buharist, wrote from Abuja.