By Akinwale Kasali
The Senate Committee on Petition, Ethics and Privileges have issued a warrant of arrest on the Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The decision of the Committee to issue the warrant of arrest was due to the Management’s failure to honour the invitation of the Senate Panel to account for how the sum of N2.6 Billion Palliative Fund released by the Federal Government was utilised.
The Senator Ayo Akinyelure led-Committee said that investigation of the alleged misappropriation of N2.6 billion palliative fund has been made difficult following the failure of the NDDC management officials to submit themselves to be interrogated.
The petition was at the instance of the NDDC palliative Chairman, Jackrich Sobomabo who insisted that the fund which was supposed to be disbursed under his supervision was diverted by the NDDC management.
Speaking after the warrant of arrest, Sobomabo lamented how he put his effort and resources in the management of the palliative before the NDDC management allegedly misappropriated the funds.
“I was appointed the palliative Chairman, but when the sum of N2.6 billion was released by the Federal Government, the NDDC management spent the fund without my knowledge.
“It’s unfortunate that they have been evasive when the Senate Committee wanted them to come and explain how the fund was spent.
“If they eventually come around and explain satisfactorily, I will be alright, but they must appear to explain how the fund was disbursed.
He expressed optimism that the Nigerian Senate would bring the perpetrators to book.
