Lawyer gives NDDC ultimatum to name 'beneficiaries in misappropriated N40bn'

Kayode Ajulo, a Nigeran lawyer, has told the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to publish the names of those involved in the alleged misappropriation of N40 billion revenue and budget.

Ajulo, who gave the commission a seven-day ultimatum, made this known in a letter dated Wednesday, September 2, addressed to NDDC under the leadership of its managing director, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei.

Legit.ng reported that the NDDC was recently embroiled in different corruption messes after a joint investigation by the House of Representatives and the Senate uncovered billions of naira aimlessly squandered by the commission.

The constitutional lawyer, who noted that the recent probe of NDDC by the National Assembly on the alleged misappropriation was worrisome, further stated that he would be compelled to take legal action if the commission failed to provide the list.

According to him, the names of beneficiaries should be made available to his firm pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), 2011.

The lawyer's ultimatum to NDDC came amid fresh controversy trailing the commission after the rested NASS probe

Earlier, Kolawole Johnson, head of research, strategy and programme at Act for Positive Transformation Initiative (APTI), urged the federal government to freeze the account of NDDC.

Speaking in Abuja, Kolawole said the NDDC has continued to waste the Nigerian resources even after the National Assembly probe that lifted the lids on the controversial expenses of the commission.

Kolawole further disclosed that NDDC, under Professor Pondei-led monitoring council, had squandered N9 billion in August amid numerous missteps.