Alleged Financial Misconduct: Oborevwori Suspends Perm Sec, Commissioner, Others

Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has approved the suspension of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Omoun Perekebena Perez, following alleged diversion of funds to a private account.

ABNTV gathered the suspension followed outcome of the review of implementation of the Greenhouse project by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The suspension was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu.

According to the statement, a seven-man committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, has been constituted to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the ministry.

The statement said: “Consequent upon the interim report of the committee and in order to have an unimpeded access to information during the investigations, Governor Oborevwori has approved the suspension of Omoun Perez, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“While Messrs Bennett Ezon-Abode Agamah, Permanent Secretary; 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.”

It added that the government’s action was in no way a presumption of guilt, but rather a necessary measure to uphold the sanctity of the investigative processes already instituted, which was to ensure that the investigation was conducted without any potential for undue influence or bias.