A group of Niger Delta ex-militants, under the Niger Delta Liberators and Ex-Agitators Forum, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging the misappropriation of over ₦50 billion in the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The ex-militants are demanding a probe into the programme, which is overseen by Dennis Otuaro, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Niger Delta Affairs.
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In their petition, submitted to the EFCC on Friday, they accused the Amnesty Office of awarding contracts to non-functional companies in violation of procurement regulations.
Odey Otunu, the forum’s convener, described the alleged financial mismanagement as a threat to the region’s development, emphasizing the need for accountability in the disbursement of funds meant for the Niger Delta.
“We acknowledge the Tinubu-led government’s commitment to developing the Niger Delta through funding key agencies like the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Presidential Amnesty Office,” Otunu stated in a press release on Saturday.
“But we cannot stand by while those responsible for the region’s progress turn into obstacles. We are raising this alarm before things spiral out of control,” he added.
The ex-militants warned that if the EFCC fails to act, they would mobilize for a peaceful protest to demand accountability.
“If nothing is done, we will take to the streets to press for transparency,” Otunu said.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement on whether it would launch an investigation, while the programme Coordinator, Dennis Otuaro, had yet to respond to inquiries.
