The Niger Delta Liberators and Ex-Agitators Forum (NDLEF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct anti-graft agencies to investigate the financial activities of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) under the leadership of Dennis Otuaro.
The group made the call during a peaceful protest at the National Assembly in Abuja, aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the management of the PAP funds.
Speaking during the protest, Odey Otunu, Convener of NDLEF, emphasized that the protest was in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to fiscal probity and governance accountability.
“This protest is necessary to reinforce the President’s renewed focus on transparency and governance. We urge President Tinubu to direct the relevant anti-graft agencies to scrutinize the financial activities within the PAP,” Otunu said.
NDLEF also revealed that it had submitted formal petitions to the Presidency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Code of Conduct Bureau over the alleged mismanagement and looting of funds intended for the development of the Niger Delta region. The group is currently awaiting responses from the agencies.
Otunu further accused Dennis Otuaro, appointed by the President to oversee the PAP, of favoring his former associates in awarding contracts and misdirecting funds.
He cited Maro-Kana Construction Co. Limited, a company owned by Otuaro’s associate, as a primary vehicle for laundering public funds.
“Despite being a construction company, Maro-Kana has been awarded consultancy contracts, a service it lacks the legal capacity to offer. A check with the Corporate Affairs Commission reveals the company is inactive, yet it has received billions of Naira for organizing fictitious stakeholder meetings without any competitive bidding process,” Otunu revealed.
The NDLEF Convener further alleged that Otuaro used the misappropriated funds to fuel violence and suppress opposition in the Niger Delta.
He accused Otuaro and Anoka of swindling over 50 billion Naira through fraudulent activities involving Maro-Kana Construction Co. Limited.
“Otuaro has used his stolen funds to manipulate community leadership and create division, causing bloodshed and silencing dissent,” Otunu claimed.
The group called on President Tinubu and the National Assembly to urgently investigate the allegations against Otuaro and his associates.
“We believe that a thorough investigation is necessary, and we urge the immediate suspension of Dr. Dennis Otuaro to prevent any further tampering with evidence or obstruction of justice,” Otunu stated.
NDLEF reaffirmed its trust in the President to ensure accountability in the administration of public funds, urging him to direct anti-graft agencies to investigate Otuaro’s financial dealings.
The group expressed hope that the investigation would lead to greater transparency in the management of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and contribute to the restoration of hope to the Niger Delta people.
