The Senate has issued an arrest warrant for the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over failure by the members to appear before it over alleged N2.6 billion palliative fund misappropriation perpetration by them.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Petition, Ethics and Privileges, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, gave the order after the commission’s management failed to honour the invitation of the Senate panel to account for how the N2.6 billion palliative fund released to it by the Federal Government was spent.
The Senate panel ,which began the investigation of the alleged misappropriation, has been finding it difficult to have the NDDC management interrogated on the matter
The NDDC palliative Chairman, Mr Jackrich Sobomabo, had brought the petition over the management’s failure to allow him disburse the fund, which falls within the purview of his official responsibility. e disbursed under his supervision was diverted by the NDDC management.
Speaking after the warrant of arrest order, Sobomabo lamented how he committed his efforts and resources to efficient disbursement of the palliative fund before the NDDC management allegedly misappropriated it.
He recalled: “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.
Sobomabo, however, expressed optimism that the Nigerian Senate would bring the perpetrators of the alleged financial mismanagement to justice.
