The immediate past Managing Director of the disbanded
Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),
Prof. Daniel Pondei, has been summoned to appear before the Senate Committee on
Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
The summon was connected with the alleged release of N6.25
billion COVID-19 palliative by the Federal Government through its Presidential
Palliative Distribution Committee to the NDDC during his time, but which the
spending was unclear.
The Senate on Thursday issued a last warning for the ex-MD’s
appearance for explanation, due to the petition by the former Chairman, NDDC
COVID-19 Palliative Committee, Chief Sobomabo Jackrich; alleging
misappropriation and diversion of the palliative funds.
The petitioner is also asking, among other things, that the
IMC should refund all monies it has received from the Federal Government;
including remittances from the International Oil Companies (IOCs) back into
government coffer.
Jackrich in his petition shockingly revealed that as the
Chairman of the Presidential Committee, he was completely sidelined as the IMC
hijacked the process to perpetrate the fraud after he insisted on transparency
and that due process must be followed.
“As Chairman of the Covid-19 Palliative Distribution
Committee of the NDDC, I testify that N6.25 billion approved by Mr. President
for palliatives for the Niger-Delta through the NDDC cannot be accounted for
and is allegedly embezzled by Professor Daniel Pondei- led IMC”.
He said to cover up their deceit, the IMC staged managed the
distribution of a few expired food items and old medical equipment from NDDC
warehouse to deceive the unsuspecting members of the public and mislead the
President.
It is the fourth of such summons by the Senate panel
inviting the top executives of the NDDC to appear before it without success as
NDDC officials failed to appear again on Thursday, 4th February, 2021 after
failing to appear in all previous hearings.
Speaking with journalists; the Chairman of the Senate
Committee, Ayo Akinyelure, accused NDDC of scheming to dodge Senate
investigation into the matter.
He said as a Senator from one of the nine the Niger-Delta
States (from Ondo State), he and his colleagues have no knowledge of how the
said N6.25 billion Covid-19 Palliative funds were disbursed in the
region.COVID-19 palliative
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