Corruption: PDP backs prosecution of Amaechi, others

The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party said it is alarmed at the startling revelations arising from the white paper on the Justice George Omereji Commission of Inquiry into some activities of the immediate past administration of Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.

The white paper, which was released to the public on Friday, found guilty Amaechi, some key members of his administration, including local government chairmen, Permanent Secretaries as well as an ex-Military Administrator of Rivers State, Anthony Ukpo, among others in the alleged misappropriation of funds to the tune of over N97 billion.

The PDP said it is saddened that never in the history of Rivers State has the state been so treated to such mindless thievery by a select group of individuals.

The PDP said it the indictment has finally vindicated its position that the administration of Amaechi had been characterized by looting of the common wealth of Rivers State people.

It added: “It is our view that the regime of former Governor Amaechi stretched its thievery too far.  Or how can one rationalize for instance, the renting of Orosi House which since 2007 had been gutted by fire but was rented in 2012 at a whooping amount of over  N300 million. The property which the Amaechi government criminally claimed it rented is still unhabitable till now.

“It is on record that some of these deals in which Amaechi and his friends were indicted for, notably the monorail project, the sale of the various gas turbines, Hotel Olympia, Karibi White Specialist Hospital and the Agric Loan Scheme were the same transactions the PDP severally kicked against but were vilified for constructively criticizing Amaechi’s government and tagged ‘political enemies’.

“It is shameful that the former Governor and his cohorts who were given ample opportunity to appear before the Commission to defend themselves of all the allegations, rather chose to ignore the invitations and took to the media to unleash lies and senseless propaganda.

“These senseless propaganda, unfortunately have not and would not remove from them the toga of looters of the treasury.

“Our advice to all those indicted by the Commission of Inquiry, including former Governor Amaechi as well as his All Progressives Congress (APC) is to quit shedding crocodile tears, apologize to Rivers people and return the loot.

“While the PDP applaud the courage and sagacity of the revered Justice George Omereji whose Commission of Inquiry unearthed the shady and fraudulent transactions of the Amaechi’s regime, we call on Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike to ensure that all those indicted by the Commission are immediately prosecuted and all looted monies refunded.”