Former Niger Delta agitator, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, has alleged that a whopping sum of N600 billion meant for the development of the Niger Delta region has allegedly been misappropriated by the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami.

Asari, who spoke to journalists at his Abuja residence on Wednesday after hosting the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, called on President Bola Tinubu to do everything possible to recover the said money, stating, “this money was taken from the account of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), unknown to many.”

While responding to journalists regarding the closed-door discussions he had with the Minister, he said, “we have our own problems in the Niger Delta, and most of them are caused by people from the region. In my discussion with the Honourable Minister, I told him that the Niger Delta Development Commission has suffered at the hands of Niger Delta people - a lot of evil has even been committed by people from our own region by selling our rights to outsiders.

“I also told the Minister that we should fight for our money that was taken by the former Attorney General, totaling N600 billion. This money belongs to the Niger Delta, and many people are not aware that it was taken from the EFCC account. The Minister arrogantly told our people that our money was used to construct the 2nd Niger bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and a road in Kano.

“Money meant for the oil-producing states is being taken by the former Minister so heartlessly, claiming it was used for the 2nd Niger Bridge, among other projects - this is our money by law. It was allocated to us, but he took it.

“We call on President Bola Tinubu to do everything possible to retrieve this money from Malami and all those who partook in the sharing of the money,” he said.

Continuing, he said, “I also told the Minister that there are frivolous projects that were introduced in the last 8 years of the last administration, unknown to former President Muhammadu Buhari - frivolous projects like desilting, clearing of water hyacinth, among others, and nobody can point to where those projects were executed, but billions of Naira were spent.”

Commenting on the East-West road, he said, “During the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, I spoke about the East-West road and I said that any person who dies on this road, Orubebe should be held responsible - I granted an interview, and at that time, it was not as bad as it is now. It is worse now because you can’t even drive on the road. So how can we say that since 2006, we have been constructing the most important road in this country that links all the oil-producing states where the money comes from without success?” he queried.

Asari said he, however, trusts and believes that Minister Momoh has the capacity to address the issues in the region, saying, “I know Minister Momoh, and I believe that he’s capable. I am not just getting to know him today - I know him to be a very religious person and somebody who fears God because for this country to move forward, we must put people who fear God in places of governance so that they can be an example to others.”