Social Action Thumbs Up ICPC over Arraignment of NDDC Director
… Reiterates Call for Publication of Forensic Audit Report
A Civil Society Organisation, Social Development Integrated Centre also known as Social Action has applauded the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on the recent arraignment of Dr. Solomon Okpa Ita, a director with the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
His arraignment was in connection with an alleged diversion of N45 million, being part of the funds paid for one NDDC contract awarded to the Radiant Women Association group.
In reaction to the development, the Programmes Coordinator of Social Action, Mr. Isaac Botti in a press statement issued by the organisation on September 30, 2022 said Social Action is delighted over the fact that an anti-graft agency like the ICPC is taking a bold step to ending corruption in the NDDC.
Botti noted that the Organisation believes that there are more corrupt officials in the NDDC including former directors of the Commission, who have diverted contracts funds meant for developmental projects in the Niger Delta Region.
The statement called on the ICPC and other anti-graft agencies to go after such ones irrespective of their social or political positions.
The statement added “It will be recalled that the Forensic Audit Report of the NDDC revealed that there are over 12,000 abandoned projects in the Niger Delta Region despite the N6 trillion that has accrued to the commission.
“With the report submitted to the office of the President, Nigerians had expected several arrests and prosecution of those indicted in the report. We have however seen just a few arrests and releases of these individuals.”
Social Action called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to order a full-blown investigation and prosecution of all involved in the flagrant waste and mismanagement of the N6 trillion accrued to the NDDC.
The organisation further called on President Buhari to make public the forensic audit report stressing that this will rekindle the hope of Nigerians that he is a transparent leader who would leave no stone unturned in his fight against corruption in public institutions like the NDDC.