DELTA’S GOV. UDUAGHAN’S HYPOCRISY ON CONTRACT FRAUD

Few days ago Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state, disclosed that his administration has uncovered contract fraud of N4.2billion The findings, according to him was made by a committee set up by His Excellency to review some contracts awarded by past administrations.

He lamented that several contractors disappeared after collecting mobilization fees. According to him “ we are going to pursue them , because the same thing applied to the medical equipment .Our contractors must take contracts seriously because there is no free money in Delta state”

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In the same breath he announced that he has awarded another contract worth N800million for the rehabilitation of abandoned and dilapidated schools in coastal areas.

It is pertinent to point out here that for Uduaghan to make such announcement is laughable and an insult on the collective sensibilities of the hardworking people of the state, because a large chunk of the looting was masterminded by James Ibori who still run things in the state. As you read, Uduaghan and his gang are allegedly using Asians to repatriate Ibori’ stolen funds stashed abroad. The monies are brought in by these rogue Asians, who put them in the hands of Uduaghan under the guise of investing in Delta.

It is also preposterous to say there is no free money in Delta. Not with the colossal allegation of conspiracy to steal funds belonging to the state hanging over the head of his Deputy, Agbe Utuama. This guy was Ibori’s Attorney general and justice minister.

In the case against Ibori, count 4-23 of charge No FHC/KD/81C/2007, alleges that “ you Mr James Onanefe Ibori, on or about the 2 nd of October 2003, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, did collaborate with Prof. Agbe Utuama(now under immunity), using his firm The Prime Chambers to conceal the genuine origin of the sum of N60 million, which sum formed part of the funds illegally withdrawn from the account of the Delta State government and which sum was derived from an illegal account, and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 14(1) of the money laundering (prohibition) act 2003”

As Uduaghan continues to “PURSUE” those faceless contractors, it is timely to remind him that he and Utuama are not fit to be custodians of the funds of delta people. That it is high time he had a heart to heart with his man who was a principal actor in the disappearance of the N4.2billion.

According to the records Utuama made several payments to various characters on behalf of Ibori, from accounts in Zenith, Standard Trust etc.

Is Uduaghan not aware that Utuama in February 2003 deposited N5million in cash in Prime chamber’s account, and that the next day a Delta State STB check No 4135 for N2million went into the account. That on Oct. 3 2003, one Oghoro Ede deposited another state check worth N60million. That on june 4 same year his agents made a cash deposit of N90.5million into Utuama’s Zenith account.

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Your Excellency these are some of the characters who got payments from Utuama for God knows what.: Efe Akpofure got N40million I sept.; Deputy Gov. himself withdrew N500, 000 in June, while Kingsley Mrakpor got N750,000; Akin Modupe Johnson, was paid N620,000, Billy Ugo, N900,000; Akin Modupe got another N349,000 in July.

On December 15, 2003, Alex Iziyon was paid N500,000; M.P Ohivwole got N15million, while one Tuwere Utuama got N500,000 on Dec. 23. Utuama took out another N1million between Dec. 23 and Dec 31.

Although every rational mind would advocate that the governor hunt down these guys, it is clear he is handicapped. Reason: Uduaghan whose candidature was taintaed before the PDP massively rigged the election is hand in glove with Ibori and Utuama.

Lest I forget, Uduaghan has awarded another N800million contract for rehab of schools. Well, with the way he and Ibori meet regularly in Oghara (classic Babatunde Fashola and Bola Tinubu), one could guess where such funds would end up.

 

By Churchill Umoren