ex-NDDC Boss, Pondei, Others Face Fresh Probe Over N6.2b COVID-19 Palliative Fund

The immediate past Managing Director of the dissolved Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei, is under a fresh probe over alleged misappropriation of N6.2 billion COVID-19 palliative fund.

The investigation by the senate followed a petition by Chairman of the NDDC Palliatives Distribution Committee, Sobomabo Jackrich.

Jackrich had in a petition before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges alleged that the IMC, led by its immediate past Managing Director, Prof Pondei, squandered the fund.

He added that he has all the evidence to support his allegation.

The latest allegation adds to the list of other alleged misappropriated funds by the IMC which is currently being investigated by the Federal Government and at least two other committees of the Senate.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Petitions, Ayo Akinyelure (Ondo Central) said he was not aware of any distribution of palliatives by NDDC in the region.

The Committee, however, stepped down the hearing after none of the affected NDDC officials showed up.

The committee insisted Pondei and his colleagues must appear to explain how the money set aside to benefit poor indigenes of the Niger Delta was utilised.

They are expected to appear on January 26.

Pondei ‘fainted’ on July 20 during his presentation at the probe of the NDDC by the House of Representatives.

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio and the MC appeared before the House Committee on Niger Delta over alleged corruption.

The House said the documents submitted by both the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Auditor-General of the Federation showed that the total amount spent by the NDDC from January to May 2020 was N81.5 billion.

It said the commission claimed to have spent N1.3billion on community relations, N122.9million on condolences, N83million on consultancy and N3.14billion on COVID-19.

The IMC was also said to have spent N486million on Duty Travel Allowance, N790.9million as imprest, N1.956billion on Lassa Fever, N900m on Legal Service and N220m on maintenance.

Others are N85.6million on foreign travels, N1.121billion on public projects communication, N744million on security, N8.8billion on staffing-related payment and N248million on stakeholders’ engagement from February 18 to May 31, 2020.

President General Muhammadu Buhari last Saturday named NDDC Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Effiong Okon Akwa, as the commission’s interim administrator.

The Presidency attributed the sack of the Pondei-led IMC to the plethora of litigation and a restraining court order.

This story contains information from TheWitness