Sunday, 26 May 2013
Delta Tourism Commissioner, Mofe Damijo And Acting Tourism GM Accused Of Embezzling N50 Million
Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Richard Mofe Damijo (popularly called RMD) and the acting General Manager of the state’s Tourism Board, Philo Nkem Ajufo, have allegedly embezzled N50 million belonging to the ministry.
Several sources in Delta State, including two employees of the Culture Ministry, told our reporter that a former commissioner in the Ministry had requested N50 million to organize the “Delta State Expo 2007.” However, the state government was unable to release the funds that particular year to sponsor the yearly event.
By some bizarre twist, the funds were finally released to the ministry’s tourism account in May, 2012. “As soon as the money arrived, the commissioner said that the ministry could no longer hold the event since six years had elapsed,” said a source within the ministry. “The Honorable Commissioners also argued that Deltans would have forgotten about the event – and therefore the money should not be used for the purpose it was released.”
However, our reporter obtained documents from the Delta State Ministry of Finance stipulating that the N50 million must be spent on the event for which the Culture Ministry applied for it. The warrant was signed by one P.O. Evuojapha on behalf of the Commissioner of Finance. The warrant indicated that N35 million of the funds was to go to the Tourism Board.
Our sources disclosed that Mr. Damijo, a former popular Nollywood actor turned politician, connived to issue a check of N35 million in the name of Ms. Ajufo who reportedly deposited the sum into her First Bank private account number 3006131619. “Mrs. Ajufo and RMD then shared the money,” one of our sources asserted.
Another government source told SaharaReporters, “It is very obvious that the manner the check was issued in the name of the board GM instead of in the name of the board was fraudulent. It portrays an element of fraud.”
Several of our sources depicted Ms. Ajufo as somebody versed in the art of warming up to top politicians in the state and getting her way.
Two sources said Ms. Ajufo used her share of the looted funds to start off a twin duplex building located at No.6 Dunkwu Crescent in Asaba, the state capital. The building is behind Junior Staff quarters and near a Redeemed Christian Church. One source said Ms. Ajufo had started the project in June, 2012.
A source close to Ms. Ajufo told SaharaReporters that the head of the tourism board had denied receiving any of the embezzled funds. “She accused Mr. Mofe Damijo of carting away the whole sum of N50 million even when her account was used to commit the fraud,” said the source.
Meanwhile, Ms. Ajufo’s staff have reportedly lost all patience with her manner of running the board. “The acting GM is very, very corrupt,” said a staffer. “As we talk, apart from her official car, the Tourism Board cannot boast of a single functional car. All the board’s cars are grounded. And in this era of technology, there is no single working computer apart from one in her office – which she doesn’t use. Her office is entitled to N1 million subventions every month, but as soon as the money comes the commissioner and the GM share most of it. The left over is never properly used by the GM.”
A source who was on the GM’s entourage to the Akwaba Festival in Lagos last October told SaharaReporters that Ms. Ajufo embezzled some funds meant to secure an exhibition stand at the festival. “The GM collected N500, 000 from the government to procure an exhibition stand for Delta State at the Akwaba Festival held in Lagos in October, 2012. Instead, she pocked the sum of N300, 000 and went for an ordinary table stand which cost her N200, 000 only. She is the most corrupt of all the GMs we have ever worked with in that board. She runs fraudulent deals with the commissioner and they have both amassed wealth for themselves to the detriment of the people of Delta State.”
When a reporter sent a text to Ms. Ajufo, the embattled GM wrote back, “Please, speak with the Honorable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. Thank you.”
Contacted by phone, Mr. Damijo denied all the allegations, insisting that no such money was released to his ministry at any time. “That matter is a dead matter,” he said. “There was no N50 million released to my ministry.” I run the Ministry with people, the Permanent Secretary and other directors.”
If you think there will not
If you think there will not break a hole in your pocket when you get a real watch, you can purchase a designer quality watch.
It's such a shame to see
It's such a shame to see officials act this way, the event would have attracted so many tourists, their money would have been welcomed by the local people! Hopefully the money will be used to promote the area eventually... I'll be spending my vacation visiting orlandos theme park, but I could have been there instead.
I don't understand these
I don't understand these people. The fall into temptations and put in jeopardize the image of a whole country. Tourism is very important for any country image... Take the Montreal example, it's an emblem city for the whole country.
A couple of weeks ago, I've
A couple of weeks ago, I've met a fellow traveler in France. We got acquainted and we started talking bout our countries. It was there, at the holiday rental in France apartment that I found out about the Nigerian tourism commissioner that lowered himself to such a level that he actually stole a huge amount o money. It is sad to hear that politicians in Nigeria are only looking to make good for themselves. With those money, a lot could have been done for the local tourism.
ajufo is a known tiff
I believe the story bcos I know where the acting general manager lives n she actually started a twin duplex n within four months she is almost roofing. She stopped work on the duplex immediately Zion Nationale came up with the story late september.
What Ideological Hue Does He Have?
Then, you can say he will not touch money.
Power is part of sin
Power is part of sin who ever tested it OMG will never be clear any more even You!!!!!!!!!!
RMD
I remembered RMD organizing a talent hunt show then at farm kitchen in warri. After all the raw talents showed up and gave good accounts of themselves, RMD came on stage and said winners will be announced in subsequent times. Till today nothing. Plus the guy has turned a snub after entering government..For those of you saying 50 million is small and that people steal more than that, i can only say "SHAME" on your generations without remorse.
RMD and Culture Funds
I expect @ least a billion Naira not akara money like 50m, Oga RMD, the show just begin but watch your back because e be like say some bad belle people are in your group who feel cheated or want different sharing formular. M
RMD
Only 50m? What if the EFCC is let lose on u, how much are you going to spend to die d mattter? Please RMD, go for the jugular @ least 5billion should be the starting point. Ewu 50million. L
sahara Reporters on RMD?
Sahara reporters! I am so ashamed to open your site as you guys are becoming imature to reason with your and ..you are now using your asses to think and relish rubish! Now as a civil servant! I knw that the commisioner is not a signatory to the account...he only confirms the cheque upon any payment made! You guys should not ridicle yourselves for cheap news! You guys have made name...yeah but its high time you select your news..as M.I rightly said city people write..city people read!so which is going to be d one for us to believe... Please leave this whole trash...ah ah how can smone just sit der and write rubish and another idiot called an editor will prove-read and post it! Its very annoying..you guys should do something about this lies and fake stories! Doesn't the commisioner have a permanent sec. And account In d ministry? Is der no bureaurocracy In d ministry? What are u pple talking about? U need news come get real news from me!
RMD AND THE MILLIONS NAIRA
Without wanting to insult all deltalites' i won't be suprise to hear this of RMD because i have worked, schooled and mixed with deltalites especially the proper deltalites from riveran areas of the state. What might be disapointing is the personality of RMD involved. If this revelation is true, Nigeria and nigerians have got a long way to go in fighting curruption.
DELTA'S RMD & AJUFO
Most Delta State citizens do not expect any good news to come out from that space completely taken over by bandits and gangsters since the days of Ibori
till the present time of the imbecilic short man devil, Uduaghan.The last time there was any semblance of good governance in that area was during Prof. Ambrose Ali's time in the Old Bendel State.Such a waste.Such a shame.
My fellow reader 50,000000 is
My fellow reader 50,000000 is a lot in any society. We should not see such amount as lightweight money. Stealing a similar amount in China would facilitate state execution.
RMD is fortunate to be working in Delta he will be shielded by the most corrupt governor in Nigeria. Bravo.
RMD?
I will be greatly dissapoined if this is true, On making Altar Call; Many more people gave their lives to Christ in my church than even the sitting Pastor in Lagos the day RMD was invited fo an event to minister. If it is true RMD stole, then I can conclude that, what is destroyed when character is lost is too much that money cannot buy...............................
Biggest Paying Industry
Banks and oil companies pay peanuts compared to politics. Politics opens up many corruption channels for self enrichment. The pub gets to know about who's done what only when one or two participants get too selfish.
That is the way Nigeria works. Rather than get shelter from the rain, Nigerians want to stop it by empty complaints.
@Yom Yom - Na dat sickness you go die put!
Yomi, since you say i dey make u sick, then make u kuku die so that sickness go go.
Bloody yoruba boy. Na so you bold na him Fulani carry your throne for Illorin? IDIOT.
Long live the United States of the SS&SE
No more shoeless
Jona can now boast of a pair of shoes. Thanks to a NYPD officer, but can he cure his cluelessness?
@AKPOS 1 IS THE ONLY IDIOT ON THIS SITE,U MAKE ME SICK.
GOING THRU EVERYONE'S COMMENT @akpos 1 IS THE ONLY VILLAGER THAT CAN'T REASON PAST HIS DUMB TRIBALISTIC BRAINS,SO PEOPLE OF DELTA DESERVE THIS ASK YOURSELF, BY THE WAY WHO TOLD YOU SS LIKE SE ?
RMD Embezzlement
Yeye people wey dey yab fir only 50million! Abeg leave my bobo alone jare! Make una go face Baba, Babalakin, Saraki, IBB and all Dem fuel subsidy rogues wey don tif 500 times di one RMD take! The man need pocket money now! Yeye people! Abeg RMD carry go ojare! Yeye people!
PDP politicians again!
I matter how good your intention,once you join PDP you are automatically inducted into the Nigeria Hall of Shame. I keep saying it, PDP politicians are ill luck for nigeria.
They did not embezzle... No be them get the Oil?
These Sahara people, something dey do una? How you go say Richard embezzle 5omillion.
Una know how many millions of barrels of crude oil him village for waterside for Warri dey produce?
Babalakin, OBJ, IBB, Farouk, adenuga, MKO, Otedola, Jimoh Ibrahim etc who have been stealing billions of dollars do not produce a single 1 dollar barrel. Those who own the oil should not watch foreigners mentioned above, come still their money while they fold their hands. Is that what you expect? Idiots.
Richie Boy, move on. We dey for your back dey do Ochuko for you. Nothing do you. You over complete.
Long live the United States of the SS & SE
Damijo's heart is as wicked as Uduaghan
U should see how this man snubs people.I lost respect for him since d day he joined Delta state thieves.
Why RMD?
Anyway, issue of this nature, there are always element of truth in them, Oga Commissioner, pls don't let money spoil the good name u have built in this ministry.
Corrupt civil servants
That is why I support the CBN governor's cry that the civil service personnel be pruned down.After all, they are not efficient and they corruptly amass wealth using the peoples' tax money.
Generational curse.
Further Investigation Needed
I would advise that Mr. Damijo should not undergo any form of character assassination without any further investigation to confirm what he (Damijo) said- he said there was no such money issued to his ministry.
Richard
I'm not suprise,what do we expect from him,he thought every organisation could be run like Nollywood,Where is Efcc? Or okey just 50million,that is just a starting point.Naija........
business as usual
All that trouble for 50mil you should have stayed in nollywood you might have made more and enjoyed the company of the nollywood women. What a shame people steal from the ground up and from the top down, it doesn't matter who or what the funds are for politicians and civil servant cant avoid stealing . oh well another day business as usual. 50 mil is a drop in the bucket for delta .
Embezzlement???
Damijo? I cant believe it. If its true I wiil be greatly disappointed. He is a man that I loved to watch his performances, in those dogone days and I reverred him so much. Hell NO!!! it cant be my former great Damijo. Please, don't bring such baldadash as a joke
political gangsta!
Why 50 million Richard? I expect more than that from you.I assume its a starting point anyway.more grease.

