Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio and the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei.
Read Also: NDDC’s MD, Pondei Who Fainted Will Not Appear Before Panel Again – Gbajabiamila
Akpabio and Pondei have been accused of alleged N40 billion corruption in NDDC.
The position of the EFCC was contained in an acknowledgement letter in response to a petition it received from a group, Foundation for True Freedom and Good Governance.
The petition signed by the convener of the foundation, Deji Adeyanju requested the commission to investigate the allegations against the Minister and the NDDC boss respectively.
The letter signed by the Head of Economic Governance Section, Adebayo Adeniyi, is dated August 14, 2020, with reference number 3000/EFCC/ABJ/HQ/EG/T.6/Vol4/044.
It is titled, ‘Re: Request for Investigation of Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, and Prof. Daniel Pondei, acting MD NDDC over Corruption Allegations of Diversion of Public Funds’
In the letter, the EFCC revealed that it is indeed probing the NDDC and called on Adeyanju to visit the anti-graft agency’s office to clarify some allegations.
The letter read in part;
We write to acknowledge the receipt of your petition dated August 3, 2020 in respect of the above subject and to inform you that investigation into the case has commenced. In view of the above, you are kindly requested to attend an interview with the undersigned through the O/C team six on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at EFCC headquarters third floor.
The leadership of the NDDC is currently being probed by the National Assembly for allegedly mismanaging N81bn.
Read Also: NDDC: Pondei, Others Spent N5bn As Medical Allowances During COVID-19 Lockdown – Senate Report
NDDC management has admitted to releasing billions of naira in allowances to its top officials during the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
