Group wants Senator investigated over alleged dud cheque

By Ochiaka Ugwu

A civil society organization, Niger Delta Youths for Change/Anti-corruption (NDYCA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate a dud cheque allegedly issued by Senator Hope Uzodima, an offshoot of a shore line protection project of Koko community, Delta State.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, shortly after a protest to drive home their point, President of NDYCA, Hon. Prince Cripus, hailed the President Muhamadu Buhari administration efforts in eradicating corruption and called on the EFCC not to relent but replicate such effort.
The Niger Delta Youths, who came out in their numbers to drive home their demands, sought the urgent intervention of the EFCC while also alleging that such contracts are undermining the development of the region.
The protesters, who chanted songs of displeasure, disclosed that the petition to the EFCC was bordering on an alleged dud cheque of N200 million issued by the Senator.
Some of the inscription written on the placards reads: ‘’EFCC Investigate NDDC contracts; EFCC kindly, investigate Koko Shore Line Protection Contract; We are threatened by the rising tide of the ocean; We are totally in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war; Magi/EFCC take action now; No one is above the law.’’
Cripus recalled that the civil society organization submitted a petition on the alleged dud cheque two years ago, but the matter was not logically concluded.
According to him, “Two years ago we submitted a petition to the EFCC on the matter. And a committee of enquiry was created by the EFCC to investigate the project, they went to Koko community for inspection, but the matter was not concluded logically.
“Today, we have also submitted a petition to the EFCC bordering on a dud cheque in the sun of N200 million issued by Senator Hope Uzodima.
“Koko community is now monumentally threatened by the rising tide of the ocean.
“It may interest you to know that the said dud cheque is an offshoot of a contract awarded to Senator Uzodima’s company for shore line protection of koko community in Delta state funded and paid by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).”
He added that nobody should be above the law and Senator Uzodima should be prosecuted for allegedly abandoning the contract and issuance of dud cheque.