Civil rights group, Concerned Nigerians, has written a petition to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate a loan recently approved by the Delta State House of Assembly, for the State Government.
Concerned Nigerians alleged that the N150Billion loan by the Delta State Government is an attempt by the state Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, to loot the said amount for the purpose of financing political campaigns ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP primary election.
In a petition signed by the convener of the group, Deji Adeyanju, he described the loan as “an attempt at last minute looting”.
The petition reads, “We write this petition to you in our capacity as a pro human rights and anti corruption group, seeking the urgent investigation of the Delta State Government, over its attempt to loot the One Hundred and Fifty Billion Naira loan (N150,000,000,000) loan recently approved by the Delta State House of Assembly.
“At a time when the nation is engrossed with the commencement of electioneering process leading to the 2023 election, it is alarming to note that the Delta State Government has initiated and secured the approval of the Delta State House of Assembly to obtain a humongous loan of N150,000,000,000.
“Curiously, this loan has been approved just few weeks to the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party where Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is rumoured to have a vice presidential ambition. We are, therefore, constrained to ask: What is the purpose of this loan?
“In recent times, it has become a practice for State Governments to obtain huge loans under the guise of public interest but subsequently divert same into private pockets. We recall that just few months ago, the Kogi State government obtained a similar loan with a view to paying workers’ pension/salary but subsequently diverted same into a private account. It took the intervention of your Commission before the money could be returned to the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“It is on the basis of the foregoing that we believe that the N150,000,000,000 Naira loan sought to be obtained by the Delta State government is an attempt at last minute looting. Sadly, the Delta State House of Assembly who should ordinarily investigate this loan and protect the citizens, is in bed with the Executive Arm and has turned a blind eye.
“We, therefore, call on you to investigate this loan, trace the money and ensure that same is not channelled towards any purpose other than people’s-oriented projects”.
