The Senate on Monday issued a warrant of arrest on the former Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC).
The warrant followed refusal by members of the committee headed by Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei to appear before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privilege to account for N6.2 billion COVID-19 funds they allegedly mismanaged.
Recall that the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Patrick Akinyelure, last month gave the former NDDC former IMC till February 22 to appear before the Panel to explain what happened to the whooping sum.
The Committee had summoned the NDDC four times as a result of a petition submitted to it by the Chairman of the COVID-19 Palliative distribution Committee of the NDDC, Chief Sobomavo Jackrich alleging that the Interim Management of Committee of NDDC mismanaged the N6.2 billion earnmarked by the Federal government for the people of the region.
Speaking after the warrant of arrest, Mr. Jackrich Sobomabo lamented how he put his effort and resources the management of the palliative before the NDDC management allegedly misappropriated the funds.
“I was appointed the palliative Chairman, but when the sum of N2.6 billion was released by the Federal Government, the NDDC management spent the fund without my knowledge.
“It’s unfortunate that they have been evasive when the Senate Committee wanted them to come and explain how the fund was spent.
“If they eventually come around and explain satisfactorily, I will be alright, but they must appear to explain how the fund was disbursed.
He expressed optimism that the Nigerian Senate would bring the perpetrators to book.