FG Blows Hot, Vows To Prosecute Officials Over Theft, Mismanagement Of NDDC Funds

The President Buhari-led Federal Government has vowed that it will begin criminal investigation and charge those behind the mismanagement of funds allocated to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the development of the Niger Delta region.

This is as a result of the huge difference between the funds that have been approved and invested in the region’s infrastructural, human and economic developments, prompting the call for the forensic audit of the NDDC.

This was made known by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, after receiving on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, the forensic audit report of the NDDC.

While receiving the report from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, Malami said that the federal government will also recover funds misappropriatedly used for the public purposes for which they were meant and review the laws to reposition and restructure the NDDC, for efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

The Attorney General said, “The call for the audit by the people of the Niger Delta Region arose from the huge gaps between resources invested in the region vis a vis the huge gap in infrastructural, human and economic development.

“It is on record that between 2001 and 2019, the Federal Government has approved N3. 3 trillion as budgetary allocation. A total of over N6 trillion was given to the NDDC.

“Consequently, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the engagement of a Lead Forensic Auditor, as well as 16 reputable Audit Firms to conduct the audit exercise. The President is delighted that the auditors have now completed this exercise and the Report is today being presented.’’

The Minister added that the forensic audit report of the NNDC and the recommendations would therefore be meticulously analysed for necessary actions and implementation.