NDDC probe: group calls for independent presidential probe

By Albert Akota

Coalition of CSOs under the auspices of Civil Society Joint Action Against Corruption has called for an independent probe into the finance state of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
This is even as it urged the National Assembly committee probing the Commission to disassociate itself from the process, saying it is an interested party in the whole process.
The group in a statement signed by ten different organisations yesterday in Abuja said: “The loss of confidence expressed by the IMC, NDDC, people of the Niger Delta and Nigerians is the centre of our concern consequently, the above named group comprises of 10 civil society groups came together to issue a joint Press statement on the recent probe initiated by National Assembly on activities of NDDC.
“We are of the opinion that the standing committees of the National Assembly being an interested party in the case, haven been accused of corruption, lack of morality and public confidence will not do justice to the issues of financial improprieties and other related wrong doings in the NDDC.
Therefore we hereby demand that it discontinue and excuse itself from the probe,” it stated.
The group further said considering the claim that the probe panel is set up to witch-hunt suspected members of the public and that in no time has such activities or exercise yielded any good result except wastage of public funds and resources.
“Having watched the activities surrounding the probe by both the Senate Committee and House of Representatives Committees on Niger Delta majorly on allegations of financial impropriety and constant exchange of accusations and counter-accusations between the chairmen of the House Committees on NDDC.
“We are of the opinion that the standing committees of the National Assembly being an interested party in the case, haven been accused of corruption, lack of morality and public confidence will not do justice to the issues of financial improprieties and other related wrong doings in the NDDC.
Therefore we hereby demand that it discontinue and excuse itself from the probe,” the statement reads.