The Human Writes Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the arrest of Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
HURIWA, a civil rights group, also urged Buhari to order the arrest of some National Assembly members and the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The group made the appeal while calling for a judicial commission of inquiry on NDDC, Akpabio and the National Assembly members getting contracts from NDDC.
It explained that such a move would help “ensure all the monies are retrieved to the last penny.”
The call was made in a statement signed by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko; and National Media Affairs Director, Miss. Zainab Yusuf.
Recall that Akpabio had yesterday accused members of National Assembly of handling some of the contracts from NDDC.
However, HURIWA said the allegations and counter-allegations is an indication that NDDC should be probed.
The statement reads in part: “The Drama at the National Assembly, which has entangled the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs; Senator Godswill Akpabio on all sides has many foundations which include the alleged quest for power, big money, sex and deceit.
“That a shocked nation, like Nigeria, is gripped by the overwhelming revelations coming out of the National Assembly Probe on NDDC has become a matter of interest to us as a foremost civil rights group with no political affiliations but are passionate about achieving just and equitable development in our country.
“The statements and counter statements from the National Assembly probe on NDDC are beyond scandalous and shame. With these scandalous revelations, it becomes extremely worrisome the way and manner the NDDC expends monies without recourse to prioritization of projects that will impact on the people of the region.
“Again, the National Assembly is a major problem affecting the delivering of development in the Niger Delta region. Aside the current leadership or chairmen of NASS Committees on the NDDC, the previous ones are equally culpable in terms of negative influence on the Commission.
“We are therefore calling for the constitution of a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to probe alleged financial malfeasance at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
“President Buhari must have now realized that the contrived Interim Management Committee was sold to him with dubious and unpatriotic purpose going by the absurd revelations coming from the Committee members at the NASS probe.
“Going forward, The Interim Management Committee (IMC) should be dissolved because it has completely lost the confidence of the Nigerian people and people of the region. The appointment of lead consultant for the forensic audit should be reviewed immediately and an audit firm with pedigree engaged.
