By Chinonso Alozie

The Centre for Democratic Accountability (CDA), a diaspora-led organisation, has backed the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) over its ongoing probe into the commission’s ₦16.6 billion budget and financial activities.

The Director-General of the CDA, Hon. Ejike Ikezuagu, stated this in a statement issued to journalists in Owerri on Thursday.

The Senate committee had recently engaged officials of the SEDC, led by its Managing Director, Mr. Mark Okoye, during which lawmakers raised concerns over aspects of the commission’s financial operations and demanded detailed records of expenditures.

Reacting to the development, the CDA commended the committee for what it described as firm and courageous oversight, particularly in its efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

The group said the Senate raised concerns over the ₦16.6 billion released to the commission from the 2025 federal budget, including alleged ₦3.6 billion already spent without proper documentation, ₦153 million reportedly used to rent a one-room liaison office in Abuja, and ₦2.5 billion listed under an unclear expenditure category described as “implied expenditure.”

“The Centre for Democratic Accountability commends the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission for its firm and courageous oversight in uncovering serious issues surrounding the alleged financial irregularities under the leadership of the Commission’s Managing Director, Mr. Mark Okoye,” the statement read.

CDA further supported the committee’s demand for full disclosure of contracts, payment records, and a detailed breakdown of all expenditures, describing it as necessary to safeguard public funds and ensure accountability in the use of development resources meant for the South East.

The organisation also praised members of the committee, including Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh, and Austin Akobundu, for what it described as their probing questions and commitment to public interest.

It stressed that the South East Development Commission was established to drive infrastructure renewal and economic recovery in the region, adding that any mismanagement of its funds would undermine public trust and development objectives.

CDA urged the Senate committee to continue its investigation without bias and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable under the law.

The group also called on anti-corruption agencies to prepare to act on the committee’s findings, insisting that transparency and accountability are essential for national and regional development.

“Nigeria cannot develop without transparency. The South East cannot progress without justice,” the statement added.