Gov suspends commissioner, perm sec, director, accountant over N280m fraud

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved the immediate suspension of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Omoun Perekebena Perez, over the mismanagement of N280 million for Greenhouse project.

The N280 million was illegally transferred to a private account in three tranches.

The illegal transfer violates the Public Procurement Act.

Oborevwori also directed the Permanent Secretary, Bennett Ezon-Abode Agamah; the Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering, Engr. Oki Preowei Yintareke; and the Chief Accountant, Gabriel Idiatacheko to proceed on compulsory leave until further notice.

The suspension was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

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Meanwhile, the governor has constituted a seven-man committee to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the Delta State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The committee is chaired by Emu.

He noted that 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.

The Star