Ndokwa Youths Accuse Delta State Deputy Speaker of Allegedly Embezzling N1.4b DESOPADEC Security Votes

By Our Correspondent

Hundreds of youth from Ndokwa nation in Delta State have accused the state’s Deputy Speaker, Hon. Friday Osanebi of alleged embezzlement of 1.4 billion naira  security votes from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) meant for the youths of Ndokwa.

The Youths made this allegation today during a peaceful protest held at the entrance of a popular hotel in Warri. Some of the placards they carried read: “EFCC is Watching, Ndokwa Youths Tell Deputy Speaker,” Osanebi, Bring Back Our Money,” etc.

Speaking to our correspondent during the peaceful protest, Chairman of the Ndokwa Youths Association, Mr. Simeon Chukwuemeka, alleged that the Delta State Deputy Speaker who is representing the Ndokwa people, has been taking the security money given to the youths of Ndokwa nation by DESOPADEC for the past six years.

Mr. Chukwuemeka added that what also prompted the protest to Warri was when information got to them that the Deputy Speaker was again allegedly planning to be in control of the same security vote money from the commission.

He said: “We are here because of our security money that is usually given to us by DESOPADEC. This money has been coming to us since 2009 and the House of Assembly Member, representing Ndokwa Constituency, Hon. Friday Osanebi has been collecting this money without remitting it to the youths. So far, this money has amounted to N1.4 billion naira.

“Recently we got information that he is still trying to be in charge of the same money so that he will continue to divert the money to his private account. This money is meant for the youths and not for a House of Assembly member. This is why we are here to lounge our complaint to the members of the DESOPADEC board.”

He said they decided to come to the DESOPADEC head office here in Warri to lay their complaint, but that when they got to the office they we’re told that the board members of the commission were in a hotel in Warri.

“It is not our intention to come to this hotel. We have been to the DESOPADEC office in Warri to lounge our complaints before members of the board of the commission, but we were told that they were here and that is why we are here today. We want to them to come out and address us so that we can go bback to where we come from.

“What we are doing here today is a peaceful protest. We cannot come all the way from Ndokwa and not meet the members of the commission. We do not have anything to do with this hotel. We are only here to see members of the commission. All we need is for them to come out and we will tender our grievances to them and they will in turn address us. We are not here for war. We are here for peace because we the Ndokwa people are a peace loving people,” Chukwuemeka said.

As at the time of filing this report nobody has come to address the Ndokwa youths, while security men were seen maintaining peace in the area. The Deputy Speaker could not also be reached for his reaction.