The Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend the minister of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Godswill Opkabio over N81.5bn corruption allegations in the NDDC.

SERAP on it’s official Twitter handle @SERAPNigeria, said it has also asked the president in an open letter sent to him to set up a special panel to probe grave corruption allegations in @NDDCOnline such as illegal spending of N81.5bn on travels, ‘condolences’, consultancy, and to suspend Godswill Akpabio & all those implicated.

The letter sent yesterday read, “These are extremely serious allegations. Nigerians who want to see development in the Niger Delta expect that those who run the NDDC should be free of corruption, and should enjoy no impunity.

“The hearings by the National Assembly have been controversial and have reportedly turned into a ‘dirty fight’ between the NDDC and NASS.”

The letter also states that any perception of politicization and bias would undermine public trust in the process & ultimately the public interest and justice for the victims.