The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has tackled the state governor, Nyesom Wike over his recent announcement that the state has filed criminal charges against former Governor Rotimi Amaechi over the alleged disappearance of $50m from the state’s coffers during his administration.
Recall that the governor had instituted a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged sale of some state assets including some Gas Turbines, the Olympia Hotel, and the award of contract for the execution of the Mono Rail Project.
Governor Wike, while swearing-in three new Commissioners at the Government House in Port Harcourt, said state leaders have decided to prosecute the former Minister; Mr. Tonye Cole, who is the governorship aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, and Sahara Energies indicted in the deals.
The governor said there is a need for the people of the State and the Nigerians to know what actually happened to the sum of $50m from the illegal sale of some state’s assets.
According to Wike, “Attorney General, you came at a critical period when people want to know what the state is going to do with the Judiciary Panel of Inquiry after the Supreme Court judgment on it. Luckily, you came at the right time when we have preferred criminal charges against the former governor (Amaechi), Sahara Energy, Tonye Cole and the rest of them.
“So, you are coming at the right time to take over the matter and to make sure it is prosecuted diligently. I don’t want to hear excuses. Let the people see what happened to our money.
“The world will see how $50m from our account was moved to a company without anything to show whether there was a business.”
Reacting to the development, APC spokesperson in the State, Chris Finebone, said Amaechi and Cole had no fear of appearing in court because they are innocent of what they are being accused of.
“If you are sure of yourself in whatever you are doing, you need not be afraid. The court is not a place where they take you to, then they just order that your neck be cut off.”
“The court is where justice prevails. So, no right-thinking innocent person should be afraid to go to court because it is not a one-sided place.
“As it is now, Amaechi and Cole are not culpable. We know that and even the state government, that is Wike and his people, know that,” Finebone stated.
