NEWS
Niger Delta Groups demand sack of interim leadership of presidential amnesty program
…Call for forensic audit of the office
The Niger Delta Patriotic Front of Nigeria (NDPFN) and the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities Forum( NDENF) have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately Suspend the appointment of the Interim Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme Office, Colonel Milland Dixon Dikio (Rtd)
The groups also urged Buhari to authorize a Forensic audit of the office by independent Auditors for projects verification and payments.
Their calls were coming after a stakeholders Meeting in Portharcourt.
A Communique signed by Comrade Odigiri Elabofa Publicity Secretary of the Coalition, they anchored their request for the Suspension of the Interim Administrator on the fact that if left in office, Col. Dikio (Rtd) can compromise the Independent Forensic Audit of the Amnesty Program Office.
According to the communique, the Amnesty Programme has been poorly managed with allegations of various forms of corrupt activities bedeviling the program for several years resulting in various forms of agitations in the Niger Delta Region which has impeded activities in the Oil and Gas sector.
READ ALSO: NIMASA to deploy special mission aircraft to fight oil theft
“Global challenges and activities have increased prices in the Energy Sector and Nigeria ought to maximize Oil production to benefit immensely from the price increase.
“We plead with Mr. President to appoint a Substantive Coordinator for the Program so that the Amensty Program Office can function optimally.
They also called on the National Assembly and Economic and Financial crimes commission to probe and track the Amnesty Program Office and payments under the leadership of the Interim Administrator and other previous Coordinators of the Amnesty Office to uncover all the anomalies that have been going on in the office.
The groups reiterated that stakeholders in the region are preparing for a mega protest at the National Assembly Complex and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission office to state thier grievances if the Forensic Audit of the Amnesty Program is not done immediately to restore sanity in the office as promised by Mr President for a good Legacy to the Niger Delta Region.
Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is set to address a world press conference at his residence in Abuja on Friday.
The specific reason for the media briefing has not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
SEE ALSO: Mambilla: ICC Orders Sunrise Power to Pay Nigeria $11.8m After 9-Year Battle
Atiku’s planned engagement comes amid several developments attracting public attention, including a recent report from TheCable concerning a $500,000 payment allegedly transferred in 2003 to his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, by Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
TheCable reported that Adesanya told an international arbitration tribunal that the payment was part of a foreign-exchange transaction carried out for Atiku.
The report further stated that the payment was made through China Castle Investments Limited, an offshore company controlled by Adesanya.
The development comes shortly after an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal ruled in favour of Nigeria in the $2.35 billion arbitration dispute brought by Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydropower project.
The tribunal also ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter to reimburse Nigeria for a portion of its legal fees and expenses.
However, there is currently no official indication that Atiku’s scheduled press conference is connected to the Sunrise Power report, the arbitration ruling or any other specific issue.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that no one found culpable in the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State will be shielded.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in a statement released on Friday while expressing the Federal Government’s condolences to the Niger State Government, the families of the deceased and the people of the Wushishi community.
The deaths occurred following the arrest of the suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State.
ALSO READ: 37 Miners’ Deaths: Interior Minister Arrives Minna, Set to Inspect Detention Centre
Idris said the circumstances surrounding the deaths require a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation, stressing that the government’s responsibility is to establish the facts and ensure justice is served.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had ordered the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and directed a full investigation into the incident.
“The swift action taken by the Honourable Minister of Interior underscores the seriousness with which the Federal Government views this matter,” Idris said.
He added that the investigation would be allowed to establish exactly what happened and that appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.
“There will be no attempt to shield anyone found culpable. At the same time, we mustn’t prejudge the outcome of the investigation. The Government’s responsibility is to ensure that the facts are established and that justice is served,” the minister said.
Idris stressed that while the Federal Government remains committed to combating illegal mining and other unlawful activities, enforcement operations must be conducted within the law and with respect for human life and dignity.
He appealed for calm in Wushishi and across Niger State, urging residents and other concerned parties to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.
The minister also assured the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State that the Federal Government shares in their grief and remains committed to fully establishing the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday arrived at the Niger State Government House in Minna following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The minister’s visit comes as pressure mounts on authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees.
SEE ALSO: How Can 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die in Gov’t Custody? Nigerians Demand Answers
Tunji-Ojo is expected to meet with officials of the Niger State Government as part of his visit to the state.
He is also expected to proceed to the detention centre where the suspected illegal miners were held before their deaths.
The incident has sparked public concern and protests in Minna, with residents demanding answers over the deaths of the detainees while in government custody.
The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into the incident, while the Niger State NSCDC commandant has been suspended pending the outcome of the probe.
Details shortly…….
JUST IN: Atiku Set to Address World Press Conference in Abuja
‘No One Will Be Shielded’ — FG Vows Justice Over Death of 37 Miners
37 Miners’ Deaths: Interior Minister Arrives Minna, Set to Inspect Detention Centre
Atiku Demands Justice, Transparency Over Deaths of 37 Miners in NSCDC Custody
Ogun 2027: APC’s YAYI Donates 30-Seater Bus to Remo Council
Nigeria Joins Global INTERPOL Operation as AI Identifies 126 Foreign Terrorist Fighters
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
