By KINGSLEY OMONOBI
ABUJA —The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is set to probe an alleged N31.9billion scam rocking the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

This probe came on the heels of controversy arising from an alleged illegal transfer of $20million by management of the commission into an offshore bank account.

But Special Assistant to the NDDC managing director on media, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, said in a quick reaction that it was good the EFCC had been brought into the issue.

“I have nothing much to say on those wild allegations. If the design of the East-West coastal road which is almost 100 per cent completed, and somebody is now saying that the contract has been re-awarded, then it is a good thing the EFCC is coming into the matter. Let them investigate and see. That is all I will say for now,” he said.

Vanguard gathered that the anti-graft agency may have commenced discreet investigations on a petition written by Ifeanyi Nrialike & Co, an Abuja-based legal firm on behalf of the Niger Delta Justice and Mass Movement, NDJMM, a pressure group in the oil rich Niger Delta.

In a letter to the chairman of the EFCC, dated January 25, 2011, the petitioners alleged that the Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwouha, recently awarded N27billion consultancy contract to a Port Harcourt-based firm (name withheld) for the provision of consultancy services for the studies and design of the East-West coastal road for which the management made an advance payment of N4,451,452,375.00, without recourse to due process.

The contract was allegedly awarded and advance payment made in October last year without the involvement of the Bureau of Public Procurement, after a new generation bank was said to have offered to guarantee the contractor in a letter to the NDDC CEO dated October 13, 2010.

Ironically, the petitioners alleged that the same East-West coastal road contract was on the tenders list advertised last year by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, based on a directive from the Federal Government that NDDC hand over the project to the ministry.

“It is a fact that in April 2009, President Goodluck Jonathan, then vice president, while declaring open the 1st South-South Economic Summit, had announced government’s directive that the project be handled by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs,” the petitioners noted.

It was further alleged that the NDDC awarded N4.9billion contract for the completion of the defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC, head office complex in Port Harcourt which is to serve as the headquarters of the NDDC, and released a 15 per cent mobilization fee since early last year, without achieving a remarkable progress.

The petitioners also urged the EFCC to probe the alleged illegal transfer of $20million by the NDDC from the commission’s offshore account with Union Bank (UK) to First Bank (UK), as well as reports of a forged resolution of the agency’s Governing Board in which conflicting dates with respect to the dissolution and constitution of the 2nd and 3rd Boards were given in the process of effecting the account transfer.

“We wish to draw your attention to a query dated December 3, 2010, issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to the Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission on the said unlawful and illegal transfer of the account from the Union Bank (UK) to First Bank (UK).

“The SGF issued the query to Ugwouha after a recommendation by the commission’s Governing Board, which had earlier suspended two top officials who allegedly collaborated with him to perpetrate the illegal act,” the petition reads in part.

To underscore the determination to pursue the case to its logical conclusion, counsel to the petitioners gave the EFCC a two week ultimatum within which to take appropriate steps on the complaint.

“Take notice that 14 days after the receipt of this petition, and it is not positively treated, our services have been further retained to take such legitimate actions to compel the investigation of the management of NDDC,” the legal firm asserted.

Copies of the petition were sent to President Goodluck Jonathan, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, Attorney General of the Federation, Chairman, ICPC, DG, State Security Services, and the DG, Bureau of Public Procurement.

EFCC spokesman, Femi Babafemi, confirmed receipt of the petition when contacted.
“We are looking at it,” Babafemi said, but declined further comments.

Also, ICPC Head of Public Enlightenment, Mr. Mike Sowe, confirmed receipt of the petition.
Reacting on the development, Special Assistant to the NDDC Managing Director on media, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo, said it was good the EFCC had been brought into the issue.

“I have nothing much to say on those wild allegations. If the design of the East-West coastal road which is almost 100 per cent completed, and somebody is now saying that the contract has been re-awarded, then, it is a good thing the EFCC is coming into the matter. “Let them investigate and see. That is all I will say for now,” he said.