Daily Trust

Wike probes Amaechi over alleged N36bn contract scam

- From Victor Edozie, Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Government says it will set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigat­e the alleged fraud in a N36 billion syringe contract during the administra­tion of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The contract, handled by a private company for the manufactur­ing of auto destruct syringes at Rumuosi, Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the state, was awarded by former Governor Peter Odili in 2009, but was reawarded by Amaechi’s administra­tion.

The decision to probe the contract, according to a press statement by the Commission­er for Informatio­n and Communicat­ion, Emma Okah was reached at the State Executive Council meeting yesterday.

He said council accepted recommenda­tions the the

of an executive committee headed by Deputy Governor Ipalibo HarryBanig­o.

Okah said the management team led by one Mr Amenya Wokoma had been sacked, while a management structure would be put in place pending the outcome of the commission of inquiry.

“Council has also directed the Hon Attorney General and Commission­er for Justice to take over the ongoing prosecutio­n of Mr Amenya Wokoma for his role in the stealing of company assets worth billions of naira”.

“Following the convoluted quest for expansion, the State Government under the leadership of Chibuike Amaechi inflicted the State with aggravated financial exposure which cannot be accounted for today as the company has gone aground and N36Bn investment now drained,” Okah stated.

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