Laureta Onochi Image source: Sahara reporters
According to Sahara Reporters, Lauretta Onochie, the former aide of President Muhammadu Buhari on New Media and current Chairman of the Governing Board of Niger/Delta Development Commission (NDDC), faces accusations of lobbying to become a signatory to the commission’s bank accounts, among other infractions.
According to reports, Onochie allegedly demanded that Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku gift her a mansion, cars, and full control over contractors.
The Nigerian Government inaugurated Onochie as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the NDDC on January 4, 2023. The Minister of Niger/Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, did the honors on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari. This move came after three years of flip-flop and several court cases that had prevented the commission from having a board.
Onochie, the Chairman of the commission’s Board, has recently accused the management team of the interventionist agency, led by Bayelsa State native Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, of endemic fraud and sleaze. This accusation has prompted the Senate to launch a probe into the agency. The new board has been making headlines due to this development.
Sources allege that Onochie requested that the Commission’s management purchase a mansion for her, but her request was ultimately denied.
In a surprising move, 68-year-old Onochie is seeking the authority to oversee the agency’s personnel and contractors, as well as lead management meetings for the commission, despite not being a member of the management team.
“She wants to have a full management control over staff, Contractors and the Executive management team. She wants to call the shots from a Part Time, Governing Board perspective which is unknown to all civil service policies, the NDDC establishment act, the BPP and the supervising Ministry of Niger Delta to which we report”, the source said.
Dr Ibitoye Abosede, the spokesman for NDDC, responded to the allegations by stating that he had no knowledge of the issues raised. He noted that the former chairman of the Governing Board of NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, had already clarified the situation.