N1.5bn goes missing from account of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs

N1.5 billion has been dubiously withdrawn from the account of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The first sum of N605 million was withdrawn by a minister from the account of the ministry while another withdrawal of over N800 million took place from the same account.

The office of the Head of Service of the Federation and security agencies are trying to figure out what the money was used for, how to recover it and prosecute those who stole the funds.

Two senior accountants in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs have already been queried in connection with the money, and have also been suspended from office pending the conclusion of investigation.

Vanguard reports that  pair responded to the query by saying that they were simply carrying out their duties as civil servants, adding that that the money was withdrawn based on the instruction of superior authorities.

It is believed that the suspended accountants had given the names of those behind the cash withdrawals and had tried to absolve themselves of any guilt in the shady withdrawal.

One of the former ministers in the ministry, Elder Godsday Orubebe, has already been questioned by the ICPC over the missing cash.

Orubebe claimed that he had already resigned from the ministry before the N1.5billion went missing and that he never asked anyone to withdraw such amount for him.

The next step by the Federal Government, in unraveling the mystery surrounding the money is the invitation of another former minister in the ministry to appear before anti-corruption agencies and shed light into how the money went grew wings.

 

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