SaharaReporters has learned that the Commissioner of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Mr. Amos Itihwe, was recently held hostage by more than a hundred Ughelli youths.
SaharaReporters has learned that the Commissioner of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Mr. Amos Itihwe, was recently held hostage by more than a hundred Ughelli youths.
The youths took the commissioner for his alleged use of N60 million, which was set aside for youth empowerment projects, to erect multi-million naira duplexes.
Prior to becoming a commissioner in DESOPADEC, Mr. Itihwe was a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ughelli South. It was in his capacity as a PDP chairman, that Mr. Itihwe provided assistance for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s election campaigns. This assistance was allegedly awarded an appointment as a commissioner in DESOPADEC.
The angry youths, it was learned, besieged the Ughelli residence of Mr. Itihwe on Wednesday morning chanting war songs and holding the commissioner hostage for several hours demanding the N60 million meant for youth empowerment projects.
According to the youths, instead of using the money for its intended purpose, Mr, Itihwe decided to build duplexes and shower himself in affluence while other people languish in poverty.
Speaking to SaharaReporters under the condition of anonymity, an official of PDP in Ughelli South disclosed that upon assuming his the office of commissioner Mr. Itihwe, who had barely any money to speak of, received the whopping sum of N40 million which was allegedly diverted into his private pocket for personal projects.
"Immediately after the N40 million was released to Mr, Itihwe, he embarked on a spending spree.
“As we talk he is currently erecting multi-million naira twin duplexes at Oviri-Ogor near Ughelli. He has also been seen driving multi-million SUVs, accompanied by a retinue of mobile policemen,” the anonymous PDP source stated.
The construction of the twin duplexes, according to the PDP source, began only four months after Mr. Itihwe assumed office. The PDP source went on to note that Mr. Itihwe shared N20 million with his aide Precious Eshenake.
A youth leader from Otu-Jeremi claimed that he received N30,000 from the N20 million Mr. Ithwe stole. According to the youth leader, the funds were intended to purchase loyalty from leadership figures of the Delta State youth.
“We have proof that he spread N20 million to various youths in an effort to buy loyalty. I personally received N30,000, and I know he provided a further N30,000 to a former councilor,” the youth leader explained.
According to the youth leader, Mr. Itihwe believes his close relationship with Governor Okowa will protect him as he is critical to the Governor’s agenda for the State.
When contacted on the issue, Mr. Amos Itihwe rebuffed all calls to his mobile line as well a message sent him on his mobile.