Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has given his approval for the suspension of Mr. Omoun Perekebena Perez, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, amid allegations of diverting funds to a private account. The funds in question were intended for the ‘Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS).’
The decision to suspend Perez was made following a review of the implementation of the Greenhouse project by the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as reported by The Nation.
The suspension announcement was conveyed in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu. Dr. Emu further disclosed the establishment of a seven-man committee, with himself as the chairperson, tasked with investigating the allegations and perceived infractions related to the management of the AADS 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.
