280M Alleged Fraud: Gov. Oborevwori Suspends Commissioner for Agriculture

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has expressed disappointment of his appointee and has ordered the immediate suspension of the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Omoun Perekebena Perez over alleged diversion of N280 million special fund meant for the implementation of the Greenhouse project by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Also axed in connection with the scandal were the Permanent Secretary, Assistant Director and Chief Accountant in the ministry. These three officers have been ordered to proceed on compulsory leave with immediate effect.

Recall that the media have been awash with the reports of the scandal especially the online media.

Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu in an official statement last night said, “Arising from the outcome of the review of the implementation of the Greenhouse project by the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Governor of Delta State Rt. Hon Elder Sheriff F.O. Oborevwori has constituted a seven man committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the Ministry.

“Consequent upon the Interim Report of the Committee and in other to have an unimpeded access to information during the period of the investigations, the Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff F.O Oborevwori has approved the immediate suspension of Hon. Omoun Perekebena Perez, Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, while Messrs Bennett Ezon-Abode Agamah, Permanent Secretary; Engr. Oki Preowei Yintareke, Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering and Mr. Gabriel Idiatacheko, Chief Accountant are to proceed on compulsory leave until further notice in line with Civil Service extant rules”.

The statement further added 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”.

According to inside sources, the governor before suspending the commissioner, visited the project where he expressed sadness, promised to deal with the commissioner, stressed his administration has zero tolerance for corruption.

Findings revealed that the commissioner in connivance with the ministry permanent secretary, DFA amongst others allegedly paid the sum of N280 million into private account of the embattled commissioner, a development that is against civil service rules.