Anti-graft agency probes ex-SGF
• N’Delta agitators back Buhari, want
dissolution of NNDC board
The Yoruba socio-cultural organisation,
Afenifere, has flayed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for
inviting the former Director-General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr.
Ayodele Oke and his wife over cash found in their Ikoyi apartment but sparing
the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal,
who was also indicted by the Senate and the panel headed by Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo.
In a statement signed yesterday by its
spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, the group said its attention had been drawn to
the invitation extended by the EFCC to Oke while Lawal was spared.
However, the EFCC has set up a crack team to
probe the fraud allegation against Lawal.
A source in the anti-graft agency exclusively
confirmed this to Channels Television yesterday in a telephone interview.
The team, made up of special investigators
from the agency, is to examine all the details relating to the N200 million
contract for the cutting of grass in the North-East, which is linked to the
former SGF.
Meanwhile, a coalition of Niger Delta
agitators yesterday applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for relieving the
Lawal and Oke of their duties.
It also supported President Buhari’s effort in
the development of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Besides, the group, in a statement, called for
the dissolution of the current Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission
(NDDC) led by Senator Ndoma-Egba and Mr. Nsima Ekere. It also enjoined the
President to suspend the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, for alleged mismanagement of
the corporation.
“Finally, we totally condemn the recent
stoppage of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) meeting in Port Harcourt by the
police and DSS; and we warn that such thing should not repeat itself again as
we may not take it lightly.
“PANDEF is the authentic voice of the Niger
Delta people and we call on security agencies to immediately arrest the leaders
of the Pan Niger Delta Peoples’ Congress (PNDPC) for trying to cause mayhem in
the Niger Delta after PANDEF has worked tirelessly to restore peace in the
Niger Delta region,” the statement added.
Those who signed the statement included
General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener Coalition of Niger Delta
Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo (Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam
(Niger Delta Warriors); Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples
Fighters); Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw (Bakassi Freedom Fighters); Major-Gen. Ibinabo
Horsfall (Niger Delta Movement for Justice); and Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson
(Niger Delta Fighters Network) and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta
Freedom Mandate, among others.
Major-Gen. Abiye Tariah for Niger Delta
Development Network; Major-Gen. Joshua Ebere for Renewed Movement for
Emancipation of Niger Delta; Major-Gen. Jeremiah Athony for Movement for
Actualization of Niger Delta Republic; Major Francis Okoroafor for Niger Delta
Freedom Redemption Army and Colonel Nelson Okochi Walter.
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