A former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for recent investigations and prosecutions of graft cases, reinforcing the fight against corruption.
Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, who represented the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, also praised the EFCC for its thorough investigation into the $35 million fraud involving the 2,000 barrels per day (BPD) Atlantic Refinery project in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The project, located in Okpoama, was awarded by Eng. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), allegedly under the directive of the former Minister, Chief Timipre Sylva.
In a letter addressed to the EFCC Chairman, Hon. Sunny-Goli commended the agency for the arrest of Mr. Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, Wabote, and other key figures involved in the alleged fraud. He expressed that this action has instilled renewed hope and confidence among the public in the EFCC.
According to him, “It is heartwarming to observe that public confidence in the agency under your leadership has grown significantly, as you have steered a new course of transparency, focus, and zeal in the operations of this foremost anti-graft agency.”
While commending the arrests, Sunny-Goli also urged an investigation of the NCDMB board chairman and its members for potential complicity in awarding the contract to an entity lacking a track record in constructing a 2,000 BPD Modular Refinery in Okpoama, Brass Local Government Area.
“The lack of response or support from either the board chairman or its members since I raised a petition on this matter raises significant concerns about their potential complicity in the fraudulent act. To fully understand their involvement, I recommend the immediate investigation and potential arrest of Timipre Sylva, as well as other board members.”
He added, “Nothing would be more gratifying to the people of Brass Local Government Area than seeing everyone involved in this $35 million fraud brought to justice, with all misappropriated funds returned so the project can proceed for the benefit of all.”
Hon. Sunny-Goli, a traditional ruler from Twon Brass with the title Kemmer V; Amadabo of Kemmer-Ama, extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering stance against corruption.
He stated, “I would like to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strong position against corruption. This firm stance has expedited the investigation and arrest of those involved in grand larceny while holding public office, particularly in this case.”
“Such a resolute approach by the President serves as a deterrent to other public officeholders. It is disheartening that, despite the government’s good intentions toward its citizens, those entrusted with implementing policies for the people’s benefit are instead corruptly enriching themselves.”
Recall that the EFCC recently arrested the former Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Simbi Kesiye Wabote, in connection with an alleged $35 million fraud related to the Brass Project.
The arrest followed the detention of Akintoye Adeoye Akindele, Managing Director of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, who faces charges of misappropriation, money laundering, and diversion of $35 million in public funds. Wabote is currently held at the EFCC’s facility in Abuja.
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