SAN FRANCISCO, January 21, (THEWILL) – Multiple sources on Thursday confirmed that there is subterranean cleaning up of documents at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (DESOPADEC), over alleged petitions against the management of the commission to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) by some stakeholders in the oil producing areas of the state.
Dependable sources at the commission told THEWILL that the embattled Managing Director of the Commission, Mr. Williams Makinde, had instructed the commission’s Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr. Askia Ogieh, to tidy up any questionable document that could implicate the commission and its board members in any alleged financial impropriety.
“It has come to the knowledge of the commission that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies following complaints may have shown interest in the alleged fraud and corrupt practices going on in the commission,” the source said.
“Since inception of the commission, there have been loads of petitions against the management and there is no month some of the commissioners and management are not invited but this time around some of us in the commission are prepared to avail them with sensitive documents whenever they come around because the fraud and corruption going on in the commission since last year will shock you.”
THEWILL obtained a petition by a group called “Anti Corruption and Integrity Forum,” signed by its President, Comrade Prince Kpokpogri, in which the group alleged that the DESOPADEC MD single-handedly gave Daily Independent newspaper the sum of N360 million without the approval of the board members.
“That Williams Makinde approved the sum of N350 million to Daily Independent on yearly basis for 3years and N270 million function for the Western Delta University for building and construction of the private University owned by James Ibori when the board has been unable to pay workers and contractors.”
The petitions dated 12th and 15th of January 2016, also alleged that Makinde organized a Christmas party with N50 million from a DESOPADEC account with Zenith Bank Asaba branch.
Makinde was also accused of allegedly using DESOPADEC funds to buy a bus for a private television station, African Independent Television(AIT) in Oghara, as well as diverting of over 50 buses that were budgeted for schools in the oil producing areas.
The petitioners also indicted the Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Commission, Mr. Ogieh; commissioner representing Isoko nationality in the commission, Mr. Ovie Oghoore; and commissioner representing Ughelli South, Udu and Warri Urhobos in the commission, Mr. Amos Itihwe of their involvement in squandering youths empowerment fund released to them last year.
All efforts to reach the either the MD or Mr. Ogieh were unsuccessful as at time of filling this report.
Story by David Oputah
