Corruption

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has received a petition requesting the anti-graft agency to probe the Minister of Niger Delta Aﬀairs, Godswill Akpabio, and Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei.

The anti-graft agency has invited a group, Foundation for True Freedom and Good Governance, to adopt the petition today (Thursday).

Agency officials said, adoption of the petition is a standard practice to enable the commission to verify the signatories before, commencement of investigation of the allegations against the two public of icers bordering on alleged diversion of public funds.

The Senate Ad Hoc Committee headed by Sen. Olubunmi Adetumbi , which investigated the NDDC activities, said it uncovered mismanagement of N81.5 billion. The invitation of the group, being coordinated by an activist, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, was contained in a letter, 3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/EG/T .6/Vol4/044, which was signed by the Head , Economic Governance Section, Adebayo Adeniyi.

The letter reads:

“We write to acknowledge the receipt of your petition dated August 3, 2020 in respect of the above subject and to inform you that investigation into the case has commenced.

“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview with the undersigned through the O/C team six on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at the EFCC headquarters third floor.”

A top source in the commission said: “The EFCC has got a petition against the two public officers. This agency is ready to look into the allegations on the condition that the petition must be adopted. We do not want a situation where a petition will be dumped on us without knowing those behind it”. There are preliminary steps we must take before we begin the investigation of allegations against public officers. We will meet with the leaders of the group on Thursday to undertake these procedures before we know whether the petition has merit.” “It is unfortunate that the letter of invitation sent to the group has become a political issue. Irrespective of the circumstances, we will do our job professionally.”