Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike says the state has filed a lawsuit against former Governor Rotimi Amaechi for alleged fraud.
Wike had appointed a seven-member panel to investigate Amaechi’s alleged withdrawal of N96 billion from the state treasury during his tenure as governor.
Omoku Gas Turbine, Afam Gas Turbine, Trans Amadi Gas Turbine, Eleme Gas Turbine, Olympia Hotel, and the contract award for the execution of the Mono Rail Project are among the listed valuable assets.
On May 27, 2022, the Supreme Court denied Amaechi’s application to challenge the investigation.
Wike announced the criminal charges against the former governor and Sahara Energy, a firm implicated in the deals, while swearing in three new commissioners at the government house in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Tonye Cole, a businessman and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers state, co-founded the firm.
Wike directed the state attorney-general, Zaccheus Adangor, to initiate immediate prosecution.
Attorney-general, you’re at a critical period where people want to know what the state is going to do with the judiciary panel of inquiry after the supreme court judgment on it,” he said.
“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 $50 million from our account was moved to a company without anything to show whether there was a business.”
