An unnamed official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Justice Dimgba, some ex-governors are among beneficiaries of the Niger Delta Development Contracts, Saharareporters reports.
According to the online newspaper, the names are contained in the list sent to the House of Representatives by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, in response to the request by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
The names include a judge, former governors, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts, government officials, Police, Army officers, EFCC officials and monarchs.
The fresh list contains project descriptions, local government areas, proposed contractors, contact details (including phone numbers), project sources and dates of award.
The alleged beneficiaries are TC/COP Villa/MD, who got several contracts for undisclosed amounts; AIG Operations, Abuja, got contracts worth N186,771,348.75, while DIG/Ochei got contract worth N349,976,919.86; CSO/CNC got contract worth N150,342,858.75.
Others are Godwin Udoidiong for undisclosed amount; George Moghalu National Auditor/EDP also got contracts worth N198,397,145.63; EDP/Giadom contract worth N663,155,999.63; while Justice Nnamdi Dimgha of the FHC got contract worth N249,555,206.25.
Dozens of House members would soon appear before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges probing their purported involvement in the N100bn projects awarded by the NDDC in 2018.
Gbajabiamila directed the committee to commence probe of those Akpabio indicted.
Meanwhile, Akpabio’s rejoinder was contained in letter to the Clerk of the House with ref no. MNDA/HM/04/IV/158.
He said the investigating Committee on NDDC refused to give him the opportunity to explain that reference to most NDDC contracts yearly being awarded since 2001 from the records allegedly to members of the National Assembly in both Chambers were done without the knowledge of the alleged beneficiaries.
“The two Chairmen of the Committees in both Chambers had adequate knowledge. The 2019 budget passed in February and harmonised between the 4th and 5th of March 2020 was received by the Commission in the middle of April, 2020, when same was designated to expire on the 31st of May, 2020.”
He stated that the Clerk of the National Assembly forwarded a letter Ref. NASS/CNA/115/VOL.38/1175, dated 20th March 2020, without attaching the budget details indicating that the 2020 budget of the NDDC passed into Law was being forwarded (copy of the letter is attached as Annexure ‘A’).”
Akpabio recalled that the anomaly was brought to the attention of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating a purported financial recklessness by the management of the commission in July 2020.
“It has always been known that the two chairmen of the committees on NDDC in both chambers yearly exhibit unusual influence to the exclusion of committee members and even the management of the NDDC in appropriating funds to details embellished in the budget after passage of line items at the plenaries.”
Akpabio attached documents showing nature of contracts, amounts (in some cases), dates, and beneficiaries, including the ones awarded to the NDDC committees chairmen in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
