The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has opened a high-profile investigation into the Delta Development and Property Authority (DDPA) over allegations of corruption, asset mismanagement, and suspected financial irregularities. The anti-graft agency, in a letter dated May 14, 2025, and signed by Stephen Pipior, Head of the Special Duties Division, formally demanded a trove of critical documents to aid its wide-ranging probe, an indication of the seriousness of the case and the scale of suspicion.
The ICPC’s letter, addressed to the General Manager of DDPA, cited Sections 28 and 40 of the Corrupt Practices Act, empowering the commission to demand access to relevant records. Among the documents requested are certified true copies of all state assets under DDPA’s control, records of government property sales from 2022 to 2025, complete with beneficiaries’ names and addresses, detailed remittance statements, procurement files related to leases and asset management, DDPA’s account statements from 2022 to 2024, minutes of meetings where asset decisions were made, performance reports submitted to the state government, and, notably, asset declarations by board members and top executives.
This investigation has sent shockwaves through Delta State’s political and public service circles, triggering widespread public interest and social media conversations. With the DDPA responsible for managing and selling government-owned properties, many are questioning whether state resources have been diverted or sold off unlawfully. The possibility of systemic fraud, unauthorized transactions, or outright theft of public assets has alarmed both citizens and civil society organizations.
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Anti-corruption activists have applauded the ICPC’s move, calling it a long-overdue step toward exposing rot within the system. One vocal advocate declared, “This is a moment of reckoning. Delta’s resources are not for a privileged few to loot behind closed doors. We need full transparency, and we need it now.”
The commission’s directive for a “very quick response” suggests that time is of the essence and that the case could soon lead to criminal charges or administrative sanctions against senior DDPA officials. So far, the Delta State Government has remained silent, fueling speculation about who may be implicated and how deep the alleged corruption runs.
