of his predecessor, Chibuike Amaechi as he constituted a seven man
Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice George Omereji to
investigate alleged sale of some state assets as well as the projects
for which funds were allegedly released but not executed.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry which has 23 terms of reference has
one month to turn in its report.
Wike's action was coming against the backdrop of claims by Amaechi's
former Deputy, Tele Ikuru that the former administration under which
he served was the most corrupt in the state.
Photo: Wike and Amaechi
Ikuru alleged that his former boss allegedly spent N812 million to
furnish his private residence.
The former deputy governor spoke at Government House, Port Harcourt
yesterday while handing over the final report of the transition
committee he chaired adding that the former government also spent
N4.96 billion on the proposed Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte Hospital
with no structures on the ground.
However, inaugurating the commission of inquiry, Wike said, "In
exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Section 2 (1) of the
Commissions of Inquiry Law of Rivers State (Cap 30), 1999 and all
other powers enabling me in that regard, I Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,
Governor of Rivers State, hereby constitute and appoint a Judicial
Commission of Inquiry for the investigation of the administration of
Governor Chibuike Amaechi".
He asked the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the sale of Omoku
150 MW Gas Turbine , Adam 360 MW Gas Turbine, Trans-Amadi 136 MW Gas
Turbine as well as the Eleme 75 MW Gas Turbine.
The Commission of Inquiry is also expected to investigate the mono
rail project and the sale of the Olympia Hotel by the Amaechi
administration as well as the non execution of the contract for the
construction of the Justice Karibi White Hospital after the former
administration had paid $250 million to the contractor.
He further directed the Commission of Inquiry to investigate the
expenditure of N96 billion from the Rivers State Reserve Fund without
compliance with the extant laws as well as make appropriate
recommendations that would assist the state government recover
proceeds from the gas turbines sold by the former administration.
Furthermore, the commission also has the mandate to recover alleged
funds wrongfully disbursed on the failed Justice Karibi White
Hospital; the alleged funds illegally withdrawn from the state's
Reserve Fund and the alleged N2 billion illegally disbursed under the
Agriculture Credit Scheme.
Responding, Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Justice
Omereji assured the governor that the panel would carry out its
assignment diligently and in line with the terms of reference,
pointing out that, at the end of the day, the Rivers people would be
happy with the job of the commission.
Other members of the Commission of Inquiry include Dr Edith Chukwu,
Chief Monday Ekekenta, Rev. Canon Alex Usifo and Elder Ignatius
Piegbara. Mrs Florence Fiberesima is to serve as secretary while Dr
Zacheaus Adango would serve as the counsel to the Commission.
Meanwhile, receiving the report of the transition committee he set up
from the former Deputy Governor Ikuru, Wike asked President Muhamadu
Buhari to support his bid to recover funds allegedly stolen by the
past Amaechi's government.
He said : " I am confident that President Buhari will support my
administration in the quest to tackle the massive corruption that
characterised the Amaechi administration.
"We are aware that the immediate past administration and her officials
will resort to blackmail and propaganda for the purpose of diverting
attention from their corrupt practices. We shall remain focused on the
task of getting back Rivers State resources and assets."
—Vanguard
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