The Senate, has on Wednesday, demanded a written explanation from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over his alleged involvement in the claims that N40 billion belonging to the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, was looted.
The directive was communicated to Senator Akpabio by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee probing the alleged missing funds.
The Chairman of the Ad-hoc panel, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, said this in the communication on Tuesday.
He also told the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, as well as the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, to submit their memorandums.
Adetunmbi asked the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE, the NDDC Interim Management and the Commission’s previous Boards, among others, to submit their responses in writing.
The communication also listed the 9 Niger Delta Governors, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, Traditional Rulers, and Contractors, to submit memorandums.
He said that their written submissions, which will be defended under oath at the investigative public hearing, should be submitted not later than June 8.
The Senate, on May 5, asked the Ad hoc panel to probe the alleged financial recklessness in the NDDC, under the supervision of Akpabio as the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
The communication reads in part: “The Senate at its sitting on May 5, 2020, considered a motion on the urgent need to investigate the alleged financial recklessness in the Niger Delta Development Commission, and resolved among others, to constitute an Ad hoc Committee
“The Committee is expected to carry out a holistic investigation into all issues relating, but not limited to the alleged misapplication and misappropriation of the sum of N40 billion by the Commission.
“Renew all procurement and financial transactions of the Commission, in this fiscal year 2020, and any other matter that is not in accordance with the provisions of the NDDC Establishment Act, 2020, or any extant law.”
