Probe Report: RSG To Prosecute Indicted Ex-Govt Officials

L-R: Former President of South Africa, Dr Thabo Mbeki, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Dr Frank Jacobs, at MAN’s 43rd Annual General Meeting in Lagos on Wednesday

The Justice George Omereji Commission of Inquiry on the Sale of Rivers State Assets under ex-Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has submitted its report to the state government with recommendation for the prosecution of those found culpable.
It also urged the state government to act fast to recover stolen funds stashed in private accounts.
The five-man panel, which was set up in June by Governor Nyesom Wike, had among other assignments, to investigate the sale of Omoku, Afam, Trans-Amadi and Eleme gas turbines, including the sales of Olympia Hotels and withdrawal and expenditure of the accrued N96 billion in the State Reserve Fund.
Shortly after submitting the report at Government House, Port Harcourt, Omereji, who refused to give details of the report, however, hinted that “We recommended that those found culpable should refund the money…We even recommended that some people should be prosecuted.”
He further revealed that the panel discovered that out of the N55billion in the State Reserve Fund, about N53 billion was withdrawn between January and March 2015, adding that, “we found out that the money was not used for the projects in the state. It went to individuals. From the paper submitted to us, we also found that the money was given to people they like.”
On some project sites visited, the judge stated that on visiting the proposed Karibi Whyte Mega Hospital, nothing was found on ground, as the whole billions budgeted for the project were not utilised.
Earlier, Omereji disclosed that the commission received 27 memoranda, 142 exhibits, and 25 witnesses, as he pleaded with the governor to move fast and recover all the money and assets diverted by the Amaechi-led administration.
He said: “I plead with Your Excellency to read the report and act fast, so that you can help recover the stolen billions that are still stashed where the thieves kept them. The money belongs to the people of Rivers State and should be used by them.”
Meanwhile, the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has assured that his administration would implement the recommendations of the Hon. Justice George Omereji’s Judicial Commission of Inquiry Report on the Sale of Rivers State Valued Assets and other matters by the Chibuike Amaechi-led government to the letter.
Speaking while receiving the report from the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, Hon. Justice George Omereji, who led other members of the commission to Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said, “We will not be intimidated by anybody or group of persons. I am aware that so many things have been done to discredit your commission. I see it as the action of a guilty person who is using the media to discredit the work of people. We will swing into action immediately and implement the contents of the report to the letter.”
Wike commended Omereji and his team for working round the clock to produce the document in good time in spite of open threats, negative media comments and spurious law suits employed by the detractors.
“You have taken the bull by the horns to make sure that you served your fatherland. I know that you and your members have faced lots of threats and other challenges; but what is important in life is that when your hands are clean and your conscience is clear, you will not buckle under any pressure, rather, you will go ahead and do the right thing,” Wike stated.