- Calls For Pondei, Akpabio’s Suspension To Enable Free, Fair Investigation
More trouble looms for the embattled Interim Management Committee, IMC of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC as more revelation has come to light that N6.25bn set aside for COVID-19 palliatives was ‘misappropriated and embezzled’ by the Kemebradikumo Pondei led IMC.
This shocking revelation was contained in a petition dated August 3, 2020, which was separately addressed to the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila by the Chairman of the NDDC COVID-19 Palliatives Committee, Sobamabo Jackrich who described the management of the funds as “a show of shame and a scam.”
“My findings are not only that the money cannot be accounted for, but there is nothing on ground to show that the N6.2 billion of our hard-earned taxpayers’ money was invested for its original purpose which the President approved. I was handed the template for the distribution of the Palliatives wherein it was indicated that Nine Trucks of food items will be distributed to each of the Nine states in the region. However, the IMC hijacked the entire process. They called and handed me with few bags of rice and beans just to induce me to play along with them giving the false impression that the process was successful. This appears to me as a coverup plot. Most of the food items that they claimed to have distributed were spoilt and unhealthy for human consumption” the petition sighted by The New Diplomat reads.
Jackrich, therefore, asked the National Assembly to probe and investigate the IMC, which is led by Prof. Pondei and that he should be made to step aside to not compromise the ongoing investigation. He posited that Pondei and other officials of the IMC lack the moral capacity to carry out any forensic duty based on the sweeping allegations against them.
“The IMC and any other Public Officer Holders no matter how highly placed should be made to step aside or be suspended from office like Ibrahim Magu of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC so as not to interfere in the ongoing investigations in the NDDC. This will disable him from compromising relevant documents and or personnel in the interest of transparency. The sweeping allegation against the IMC and their overtures disqualify them from overseeing any forensic audits because they have become interested parties in the criminal investigation ongoing in the NDDC both by the audit and the National Assembly just to sabotage President Muhammadu Buhari.
The IMC should be made to explain the hijack of the Palliatives Distribution process and the sidelining of the inaugurated Palliatives Distribution Committee which was saddled with the task of Distribution of the palliatives in the nine Niger Delta states as approved by President Buhari,” Jackrich said.
He further accused the IMC of abusing the Public Procurement Act while challenging the IMC to provide material evidence of compliance with the Act.
“They should show material evidence of compliance with the relevant sections of The Public Procurement Act 2007. They should show proof of procurement and utility of the necessary foodstuff keeping the approved figures in mind and the medical equipment and distribution of the same to Niger-Delta states by the Palliatives Distribution Committee which is supervised by High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich” he said.
He expressed his willingness to appear before a public probe to back up all his claims with evidence if invited.
“I shall upon invitation to a public probe tender necessary evidence to back up these claims” he thundered.
Recall that the NDDC is currently under scrutiny for alleged financial misappropriation to the tune of N81.5bn.
Prof. Pondei, who was appointed by President Buhari in February 2020, has publicly appeared before a House of Representatives investigative committee on NCDC along with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.
