Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, Thursday, dared the police and rescued embattled outgone Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission’s Interim Management Committee from house arrest.
Dr. Joi Nunieh, the former NDDC’s boss, reportedly placed on house arrest by some police personnel at her residence in Port Harcourt was freed by the governor and whisked to Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike was said to have gone to the residence after a telephone call by Nunieh, walked in there and ordered the policemen out, thereby freeing her from the pruported siege.
Nunieh was scheduled to appear before the House of Representatives Committee probing the activities of NDDC in Abuja today.
It was gathered that the policemen arrived at Nunieh’s residence, 3 Owuru Creek View off Herbert Macauley Street, Port Harcourt at about 4 a.m. and cordoned off the residence.
Speaking with Channels TV reporter on the telephone on Thursday, Nunieh said the police came to her residence in the night and she demanded a warrant of arrest, but they could not produce it.
According to her, “I heard a bang on my gate, but I told my security men not to open the gate for anybody. They broke into my compound and ordered me out. I asked them for a warrant of arrest but they could not produce it. One of them told me that he was the DPO, but when he wanted to pounce on me, I closed my door, and went upstairs.
“But they tried to open the doors all to no avail because I have security doors all over. I spoke with Senator Magnus Abe who told me that he spoke with Commissioner of Police that the police were not from the state. Later, I called the Governor and the number went and he warned me not to go with them. He came this morning and took me to Government House.”
However, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Command, said he was unaware of any police siege on Numieh’s Old GRA home, but a former aide to Nunieh, said the “invading “Mobile Police claimed they are from Mopol 19.”
Meanwhile, members of the House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC have issued a warrant of arrest against the acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee(IMC) of the NDDC, Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei, who walked out on them Thursday July 16.
Pondei and his team were at the House to appear before the panel investigating activities of the commission.
Recall that on Tuesday, July 14, a mild drama ensued at the committee hearing after Pondei failed to explain a N143 billion shortfall in the 2019 budget. Unable to answer the questions thrown at him by the Commission, Pondei asked for time to go back and address the N143 billion discrepancy raised by the committee members.
When he appeared before the house today, Pondei said he and his team members were not prepared to make any presentation before the committee. He objected to Chairman of the Committee, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, presiding over the investigative hearing, insisting he cannot preside over a matter in which he is also an accused.
While members were still making contributions to the issue, the Nation reports that Pondei sought permission to leave and walked out before the committee could grant or reject his request.
The furious lawmakers accused the Interim Management Committee of trying to frustrate legislative functions and ordered a warrant of arrest be issued against him.
The Committee members also unanimously passed a vote of confidence on their Chairman.
