“Arrest Ibim Semenitari” – PDP Urges Police, EFCC

“Arrest Ibim Semenitari” The Rivers state chapter of the People’s Democrtaic Party has urged the police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and relevant security agenices.
According to information available to societynowng.com

The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has expressed grave concern over what it termed more startling discoveries of monumental looting and misappropriation of public funds by officials of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration in the state.

The PDP said the latest discovery of over N82 million, which it categorised as wasted on a three-hour dinner organized for Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, by Amaechi, through the Ministry of Information and Communication, was another confirmation of how terribly wasteful, imprudent and corrupt the administration was.

The party noted that apart from the negative implication this singular action has on the image of the guest, in whose honour the money was allegedly spent, it further goes to expose possible collaboration, a development that calls for explanation to Rivers State people.

The PDP said its pains is further heightened by the fact that as at the time all these financial wastes were being carried out, staff, pensioners and contractors of the state Ministry of Information and Communication were owed several months’ salaries, pensions, gratuities and control funds; facilities at the state-owned media establishments were also moribund and obsolete and needed to be enhanced/upgraded.

For the party, this action by the then Commissioner for Information and Communication, Ibim Semenitari, was a clear case of financial recklessness and misappropriation and one sure way this could be discouraged in public service is the prompt investigation and arrest of those responsible for the fraudulent actions.

The PDP said based on these allegations, it was also calling the attention of the government to watch Semenitari’s steps at the Niger Delta Development Commission, where she is now the Acting Managing Director.

The party said it also wishes to caution against diverting the funds of the Commission meant for the development of oil devastated communities in the region into funding the All Progressives Congress re-run governorship election in Bayelsa State and the re-run of some state and National Assembly elections of the APC in rivers State.

It added: “We call on the relevant authorities to be on alert and to check the flow of funds from the Commission thoroughly during the period she may be in charge.

“We again, reiterate our call on the Police, the EFCC and other security agencies to immediately commence investigation into the N1.8b loot, which include the N82m waste on Prof Soyinka, and ensure she is arrested and prosecuted accordingly to serve as deterrent to others.

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