Rivers Probe: Commission Summons Ex-Agric Boss, 12 Others

The Justice George O. Omereji led Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the immediate past administration in the state has threatened to issue warrant of arrest against former Agriculture Commissioner and 12 former Care-taker Committee Chairmen (CTC) who served under the past administration to force them to appear before it today at 9am.
By the close of sitting yesterday, the commission issued fresh summons to compel the former officers to comply with its order.
The former Care-taker Committee Chairmen invited to appear at today’s sitting include, Hon. Mnaeichenbo C. Tende (Ogu/Bolo), Uche Felix Naaeke, (Oyigbo), Kadilo Kabari, (Gokana) Oji Ngofa, (Eleme), Barr. Nnamdi Wuche, (Phalga), and Nlemaa Agabe for Tai LGA.
Others are Hon. Mene Lenyie Derek (Khana) Ojukaye Flag Amachree (Asalga), Ikegbidi Cassidy Okpara (Ahoada East), Charles Anyanwu (Etche), Ibigoni Daddy Pokima (Degema), as well as Hon. Austin Ahiamadu for Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local Government Area of the state.
The invitation was part of resolutions reached by the panel at the end of yesterday’s sitting which was adjourned due to the inability of the former Agriculture Commissioner to honour an earlier invitation by the commission.
The invited persons are expected to appear before the panel and give evidence and produce relevant documents in respect to the disbursement of N4 billion Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) through secured the state Ministry of Agriculture by the last administration.
Speaking during the inaugural session of the commission held at the auditorium of the state Judiciary complex in Port Harcourt, Monday, the Chairman of the Commission Justice George O. Omereji stated that the commission was a fact-finding body and was not a court of law and would not witch-hunt any body adding that that the commission’s activities would be based on the memoranda submitted by the parties.
Justice Omereji promised that the commission shall uphold the principle of fair hearing and give equal opportunities to all concerned persons to state their cases as well as tender relevant documents that shall assist the commission in its assessment.
According to him “person (s) mentioned in the memoranda shall be put on notice and granted audience to respond. The commission recognizes the right of the parties to engage legal practitioners of their choice. The commission is not bound by the strict rules of evidence but shall add procedures that will ensure fairness to all the parties”, he stated.
Justice Omereji, who is a serving Judge at the State Judiciary said that the recommendations of the commission would be advisory and would be at the discretion of the state government, even as he sued for co-operation among all.
Earlier in their separate submissions during their appearance at the commission on Monday, the Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs O.I. Okoye and the Director, Planning Research and Statistics Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Chijioke Grant Amadi explained that 380 mother Co-operatives across the 23 local Government of the states benefited from the Agric grant from the CBN.
They told the panel that the N4 billion Agric grant was segmented in various order adding that only N2.932 billion was paid to the beneficiaries.
Giving the break down on how the money was disbursed during the past administration, the Permanent Secretary said N2.932 billion was paid to the Co-operatives, N.1bn was paid for OMUDA Development Company and bank charges, while the balance of N989 million was outstanding in the account meant for four fish farms at Opobo/Nkoro, Andoni, Ubima and Degema and has not been paid.
They told the committee that due process was followed in the disbursement of the loan as most beneficiaries were farmers in the state adding that committee was set up to monitor the disbursement and reported to the then Commissioner for Agriculture.
They stated that they were not part of those who generated the names of the beneficiaries adding that it was the former Agric boss that gave such approval. In her own submission, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Commerce, Mrs Cordelia M. Peterside however told the panel that her Ministry could only account for 342 Cooperatives out of the 380, but promised to furnish the panel with further details within one week.
The disbursement or use by the State Ministry of Agriculture of the sum of N4 billion Agricultural Credit Guarantee scheme fund is among the areas the panel of inquiry is investigating on the activities of the past administration as empowered by Governor Nyesom Wike.

Akujobi Amadi