ICPC Acknowledges Receipt of Petition Against C’River Emergency Management Agency

by crossriverwatch admin

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offenses Commission, ICPC have formally acknowledged receipt of the Petition titled “Petition For the Investigation of Mr. Vincent Aqua (MON) Director-General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency and the Cross River State Emergency Relief Management Committee respectively for diversion of relief materials and corruption”.

In a letter obtained by crossriverwatch, dated the 14/2/2013, with reference number 1CPC/P/SS/33/2012, signed by F. Popoola for the Honorable Chairman to the law firm of Obono, Obono and Associates, Abuja which was received yesterday, the ICPC said that the firm will be notified of further development in the matter.

It will be recalled that on the 28th January, 2013 the Law Firm of Obono, Obono and Associates at the instance of crossriverwatch, an online news agency wrote a petition to the ICPC requesting the investigation of the diversion of relief materials meant for victims of flooding and other natural disaster by Mr. Aqua of the Cross River State Emergency Management and the Cross River State Emergency Relief Management Committee respectively.

This was sequel to a report by crossriverwatch which alleged that the state emergency management agency had become a cesspool of corruption where relief materials meant for disaster victims who are still languishing in deprivation, are now being shared by elected officials and civil servants.

The agency has since denied the allegations and threatened a court action against crossriverwatch.

But crossriverwatch insisted that documentary revelations from an undercover operation in the agency reveal that SEMA has more to proof to crossriverians than just denying the allegations.

A request was further made under the Freedom of Information Law for the release of records and information on monies and materials that the agency has gotten as support for disaster victims as well as the list of beneficiaries.

The agency has failed to honor the request and there are indications that the Editorial Team of crossriverwatch may ask their lawyer to file an action against SEMA in a Calabar High Court.

follow us on twitter @crossriverwatch