The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigation into allegations of diversion of public funds made against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Daniel Pondei.
The development was disclosed in an acknowledgement letter written by the anti-graft agency in response to a petition it received from a group, Foundation for True Freedom and Good Governance.
Akpabio and Pondie had been accused of diverting N40 billion in commission.
The petition signed by the convener of the foundation, Deji Adeyanju, requested the EFCC to investigate the allegations made against the minister and the NDDC boss.
The acknowledgement letter signed by the head of Economic Governance at the EFCC, Adebayo Adeniyi reads: “We write to acknowledge the receipt of your petition dated 3rd August 2020 in respect of the above subject and to inform you that investigation into the case has commenced.â€
“In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview with the undersigned through O/C Team 6 on Thursday August 20th at the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.â€
Akpabio had, in a statement, declared that he was ready to face any panel instituted to investigate his activities as the minister in charge of the NDDC. His declaration was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Anietie Ekong, his chief press secretary.
Anietie said Akpabio was upbeat about the plan to probe the NDDC as he had no skeleton in his cupboard.
“In fact, he will welcome a public hearing beamed live for all Nigerians to see.
“The probe of the commission, along with the ongoing forensic audit, will expose those who have used their exalted positions over the years to fleece the NDDC through fully paid contracts which were never executed and other forms of contact racketeering.
“While we await the probe, if carried through, we find it extremely insulting for Akpabio’s name to be dragged into what is obviously a smear campaign.
“The general public should not be misled by spurious claims. The NDDC under the supervision of Akpabio will not be distracted neither will the ongoing forensic audit of the commission be derailed through blackmail and intimidation.â€
The leader of the Proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi kanu,has tabled a fresh request before the United States Government led by President Donald Trump.
Naija News report that the IPOB leader called on the United States Department of appoints a special envoy to protect "Christians in Nigeria " including the "innocent children, women and men "
This online news platform understands that the IPOB leader, whose group had since been proscribed by the Federal Government led by the President Muhammadu Buhari, made this call on the micro-blogging site, twitter on Thursday, August 20.
Kanu made this call while quoting Open Doors USA 2020 World Watch List.
Ranking Nigeria one is "Christians killed for their faith" . Open Doors USA is committed to aiding persecuted Christians around the globe.
The IPOB tweeted ,"According to @OpenDoors' 2020 watch list, Nigeria continues to worsen,I urge the @StateDept to appoint a special envoy to protect these innocent children, Women and men.!"
Nigeria Union Union Of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Has issued a seven-day nationwide strike notice, Following the alleged non-procedueal sack of members by Chevron Nigeria Limited and it's Service Contractors Yesterday.
In a Statement Yesterday, the union lamented that through whatsapp, 175 members who are working in YKISH Integrated Service for the off-site/on-site maintenance services with Chevron Nigeria Limited, Delog Nigeria LTD and EUROFLOW Service, (all service contractors to Chevron Nigeria LTD,)were sacked.
The union in a statement by President and General Secretary, Prince Williams Akporeha and Afolabi Olawale, respectively, demanded their immediate reinstatement.
The Statements read in part:" we to emphasize that this of respect and sensitivity to Nigerian extant labour laws, International Conventions and global best practices is gradually becoming the stock in trade for Chevron Nigeria Limited and it's various contractors.
" There are still several other Lingering infractions and issues against workers yet to addressed by Chevron Nigeria Limited and it's contractors, even after several regulatory institution like federal ministry of Labour and Employment, Department of petroleum resources, DPR, and NAPMIS had ruled on these matters and several times.
These includes, among others, illegal deduction of workers' benefits since 2012 and flagrant refusal to refund to the terminated workers the excess deductions made in their meager terminal benefits.
“Continuing discrimination against contract workers as evident by the refusal of Chevron management to pay quarantine allowances to contract workers, as it was done for all permanent workers, all contributing to the production and profits of the organisation and suffered the same inconveniences during the period of quarantine.
They further noted that the 2018 annual vacation management has not been paid for.
“As a responsible and very responsive organisation, we are very mindful of the magnitude and spiral effects of our industrial actions to the economy of our great country, while at the same time we owe our members the duties to promote, project and protect their job interests.
Consequently, it called on the general public, the media and all concerned authorities in the country and the industry, including Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva; Ministry of Labour and Employment, Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, National Assembly, law enforcement agents and the Embassy of the United States of America to call Chevron and its service contractor(s) to order on these matters to avert avoidable industrial action from the Union.
They noted that the sacked contract workers must be recalled and begin work immediately and further demanded that their request be met in the next seven days.
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