Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Joi Nunieh, has vowed to make more revelations about the alleged illegalities committed by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, whenever she appears before the House of Representatives probe panel.
She made the vow on Thursday just as she declared that the real reason the police laid siege to her residence was to prevent her from further testifying against Akpabio.
Nunieh was scheduled to appear before the panel on Thursday before she was prevented by the police.
She said although they succeeded in preventing her from going to Abuja to testify, she expressed belief that the probe panel would give her another opportunity and that she would make more revelations.
Nunieh made the declaration at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after she was rescued by Governor Nyesom Wike.
Her words: “But, why does he think he has monopoly of violence. I think Akpabio wanted to stop me from giving my submissions before the House of Representatives committee today. He succeeded but I am sure the House of Representatives will give me another date. Nigerians will hear more.”
She said it was unfortunate that Akpabio who harassed her was at home while the police was laying siege to her residence.
“The man that harassed me is at home; the man who stole the money is at home; the man who stole government files is at home; the man who took money is at home; the man who said I should go and take an oath is at home. It is a criminal offence; it is life imprisonment to take oaths, to even offer me an oath is liable.
“I am sure my lawyers will be working on my next step as we speak. I don’t think that Akpabio can kill me; definitely, he can’t,” she said.
Nunieh also spoke about her encounter with the police who laid siege to her residence earlier in the day before the intervention of Governor Wike.
Her words: “Early this morning around 4 O’clock, I learnt that people were around my gate. I made some calls and I tried to reach the governor because he told me that if I see any strange movement that I should alert him because he had issued a statement.
“I tried to reach him but his phones were off. Then, I called some people and they said they may not be real policemen, so I should stay. They said they came to take me away and I said for what? Do they have a warrant of arrest and they said no warrant of arrest. So, I left it.
“At about 6:00 a.m., they broke the gate. Then, Senator Magnus Abe now called me and said he had reached the commissioner of police; he said he didn’t know anything about it.
“The CP called me and I sent him my address and he came. They told me the CP was downstairs, but the CP wasn’t down. I think it was the deputy commissioner of police. So, I opened the door and they wanted to grab me; I now pushed back the door, locked it and went upstairs. I got through to my governor. They tried to break the backdoor, it is a security door and they kept hitting it for over one hour but they couldn’t get access.
“They kept trying to pull down the door and then I asked them for a warrant of arrest and I said I can’t go anywhere without a warrant of arrest. I needed to see the warrant. We are not in a Banana Republic. So, as they were still trying, my governor came and sent them out that why would they come to arrest a woman like an armed robber, that they should leave the compound. The Governor then said I should enter the car with him. So, I am now with my governor in Government House, Port Harcourt.
“I really want to thank the Governor. I really don’t know what to say but my Governor is a man. He is a man. He didn’t just say it that nothing should happen to me, he came to my rescue. I want to say thank you to my governor.”
