Alleged fraud: Delta governor suspends commissioner, others

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has ordered the immediate suspension of the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Omoun Perez over alleged fraud.

Also, the governor ordered the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Bennett Agamah; Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering, Oki Yintareke; and the Chief Accountant, Gabriel Idiatacheko, “to proceed on compulsory leave until further notice in line with civil service extant rules.”

The decision was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday.

The statement explained that the measures became imperative, “following the outcome of the review of the implementation of the Greenhouse project by the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.” The statement added that the decision was taken “consequent upon the interim report of the committee and in order to have an unimpeded access to information during the period of the investigations.” The statement read, “Oborevwori has constituted a seven-man committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the ministry.

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“The government’s action is in no way a presumption of guilt but rather a necessary measure to uphold the sanctity of the investigative processes already instituted which is to ensure that the investigation is conducted without any potential for undue influence or bias.”

Oborevwori had assured the people of the state of his administration’s commitment to ensuring the completion of all ongoing projects across the state.

He also pledged to initiate new projects for the sustainable development of the state, according to a statement by his spokesman, Festus Ahon.