By Daniel Gumm

WARRI—AN Itsekiri group, Iwere Development Initiative, IDI, has absolved the Executive Director, Research, Planning and Statistics in Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Engr. Victor Wood, of involvement in a purported petition written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against the immediate past governor of the state and other persons.

Also allegedly petitioned were the member representing Warri North constituency in Delta State House of Assembly, Michael Diden as well as the current member representing Itsekiri ethnic nationality on the board of DESOPADEC, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi.

IDI, in a statement by its Chairman, Misan Tsegbeyeri, berated those accusing Wood of allegedly conniving with Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, to petition the afore-stated persons to the EFCC, noting: “Even though Wood is a member of Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILOT, he has never met Prof. Sagay, let alone connive with him to petition anybody to the EFCC.”

The group said those behind the allegation were “hell bent on tarnishing Wood’s reputation before Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, the Itsekiri nation and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli.”