More Trouble For NDDC As Senate Begins Fresh Fraud Probe

The Nigeria Senate has commenced an investigation into fresh fraud allegations levelled against the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The fresh probe would be handled by the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.

Naija News reports that the fresh fraud allegations are not among the N40bn reckless spending which the National Assembly was already probing.

Confirming the fresh probe, the chairman of the panel, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, said the acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Kemebradikumo Pondei, would be summoned after the Senate panel had concluded its public hearing.

He disclosed that the public hearing would involve the United Bank for Africa Plc and the liquidators of the defunct NITEL/EMTEL next Wednesday.

Akinyelure in an interview told The Punch that, “there is a petition that has just been sent to my committee by the leadership of the Senate.

“I received it on Tuesday. It is about the alleged fraudulent practices of the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

“I will take my time to study the petition. Our committee will invite him as soon as we conclude hearing on the case involving the UBA which is before our committee.

“We will invite the MD to come and explain to the whole world how he allegedly misappropriated billions of funds as the head of the agency.”

According to the lawmaker, Pondei would also answer questions about allegations of contract scam against some federal lawmakers.

“He (Pondei) will also tell Nigerians about the details of the senators who allegedly took gratification and contracts from him.

“He must come and prove it beyond reasonable doubts. No senator awards contracts. We can only facilitate project allocation for our various constituencies.

“We don’t even know when the executive would advertise those projects.

“Our job is to ensure that the project is executed. If any Senator or House of Representatives member had gone to the NDDC management to take money or contract, we will ask the MD to expose such a person.”