Akpabio Faces Life Jail – Nunieh | The Source

By Charles Igbo

Former Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Barr.  Joi Nunieh, says that a life jail awaits the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Nunieh and Akpabio have been having a spat, accusing, and throwing mud at each other, since Akpabio removed her from office, and especially, since the National Assembly began an investigation of alleged corruption at the NDDC.

Nunieh accuses the Minister of all kinds of misconduct, ranging from corruption, to sexual harrassment, to oath taking. She insists she was removed by Akpabio  because she refused to connived with him to short-change the Commission.

On the other hand, Akpabio accuses her of being temperamental, and not qualified to be the M.D., because he alleges she did not participate in the NYSC.

But testifying before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee, investigating the NDDC, via Zoom from Porthacourt on Thursday,  Nunieh gave, at least, three reasons, why Akpabio should be in prison for offences which attract jail terms ranging from five years, seven years,  to life imprisonment.

For, allegedly, using two Executive Directors to “steal” files from the office in order to cover up alleged misdeeds,  Nunieh said Akpabio is liable to a five-year imprisonment.

For, asking her to take an oath of allegiance to him in a shrine, Nunieh said the Minister was entitled to  a seven- year imprisonment.

Finally, she told the members of the Committee, she holds the highest Chieftaincy title any woman could be given in Ogoniland. She is from Ogoni, Rivers State.

She explained that anybody who asked a Chief of her status in Ogoni, to take an oath, is liable to a life jail.

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has asked for a speedy and coordinated investigation into the NDDC corruption scandal.

Many Nigerians are asking that the Minister  steps aside from office, pending the end of the investigation, or be fired by the President.