A group identified as Emerging Leaders Forum of Nigeria (ELFON), has called for the investigation of the allegations levelled against the minister of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Godswill Akpabio.
Recall that a former Managing Director of the NDDC, Joy Nunieh had indicted Akpabio of corruption.
ELFON on Sunday, July 19, expressed displeasure on plans to scuttle democracy in Nigeria and the fight against corruption campaign through the bickering within the ministry.
The national president of ELFON, Godstime Samuel, said the action by members of the National Assembly to probe the NDDC over alleged financial misappropriation in the commission is a welcome development. While encouraging the lawmakers on the probe, Samuel said the group is fully in support of forensic auditing of activities in NDDC.
Samuel said: “We condemn every action that tends to intimidate members of the house committee and the witness as invited to give evidence before it, having the case of Joy Nunieh been a very good example.” “How do Niger Deltans and Nigeria reconcile the report that NDDC MD Professor Podei was proud to say they used N10 billion to take care of themselves as palliative?” Samuel queried. The group further recommended that the scholarship funds traced to the account of one of the executive directors of the NDDC be returned immediately.
“When did he become CBN? More painful is the fact that he also collected estacode for a journey never made,” he added. In its recommendations, the group also called on Akpabio and his interim management committee of the NDDC to make themselves available for the probe. “We call on the Minister of Niger Delta to honourably step aside, otherwise we call on the President to apply the Public Service rule and suspend Senator Akpabio to give room for an unhindered investigation by the National Assembly as in the case of Magu,” Samuel said. In addition, the group commended the Federal Government for steps taken to open Schools and to Conduct WAEC in September. It also urged FG to shun the call by ASUU to shut schools till 2021.
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