The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has asked President Muhammadu Buhari, to set up a presidential investigative panel to probe corruption allegations in the Niger Delta Development Commission.
The not-for-profit organisation also urged the President to suspend the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and all those involved in the allegations pending the outcome of any such investigation.
SERAP said a special panel was necessary to probe the agency as the investigation by the National Assembly has been “controversial and has turned into a ‘dirty fight’”.
This was contained in an open letter dated June 18 and signed by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
In the letter, SERAP asked the presidential panel, if set up, to probe the allegations that the NDDC spent N81.5 billion on travels, condolences, consultancy and public communication between January and July 2020.
The letter partly read, “SERAP also urges you to instruct the police authorities and security agencies to immediately end the harassment and intimidation of Ms Joy Nunieh, former Acting Managing Director of NDDC, or any other witnesses and whistle-blowers. Suspected perpetrators will escape justice if witnesses and whistle-blowers are intimidated, harassed or threatened.
