The Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, and Clerk of the House, Mrs Lyna Ochulor, have been summoned by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja.
The invitation followed a petition on alleged fraud, abuse of office, purchase of vehicles for the members of the House of Assembly at exorbitant prices, and wanton looting of the legislative treasury.
An Abuja based anti-corruption organization, Initiative For Advancement & Accountable Integrity In Governance, in the petition to the EFCC Acting Chairman, alleged that the Speaker and the Clerk “quoted exorbitant prices for the purchase of official vehicles for members of the Delta State House of Assembly to the tune of N1,621,226,250.00 (One Billion, Six Hundred and Twenty-one Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira)”.
“While it is within the scope of legislative duties to provide Honourable members with functional official vehicles, we were taken aback by the huge sums used in the purchase of different brands of vehicles for Honourable members when in fact, the state is faced with so much task to deal with”.
The civil society organisation also accused the Speaker of tax evasion, stating that “the sum of N77,201,250.00 (Seventy-seven million, two hundred and one thousand, two hundred and fifty naira) calculated at 5% of the total vehicle purchase sum was claimed as VAT when in fact, no such was paid neither was VAT paid on purchase”.
The CSO urged the EFCC to urgently commence a comprehensive investigation into the petition and to ensure that all illicitly acquired monies from the proceeds of this purchase and wanton looting be recovered and returned to the legislative account.
Meanwhile, the Speaker, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori on Tuesday denied being invited by the EFCC over the purchase of cars for members of the Delta State House of Assembly.
The Speaker in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mr Dennis Otu described media reports that the Speaker and the Clerk of the House, Mrs Lyna Aliya Ocholor were arrested and detained by the EFCC as incorrect and malicious.
Sources: Realtime.ng/NIGER DELTA TODAY ONLINE
