The Rivers State Government says it will set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged fraud in a N36 billion syringe contract during the administration of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The contract, handled by a private company for the manufacturing of auto destruct syringes at Rumuosi, Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the state, was awarded by former Governor Peter Odili in 2009, but was re-awarded by Amaechi’s administration.

The decision to probe the contract, according to a press statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Emma Okah was reached at the State Executive Council meeting yesterday.

He said the council accepted the recommendations of an executive committee headed by Deputy Governor Ipalibo Harry-Banigo.

Okah said the management team led by one Mr Amenya Wokoma had been sacked, while a management structure would be put in place pending the outcome of the commission of inquiry.

“Council has also directed the Hon Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to take over the ongoing prosecution of Mr Amenya Wokoma for his role in the stealing of company assets worth billions of naira”.

“Following the convoluted quest for expansion, the State Government under the leadership of Chibuike Amaechi inflicted the State with aggravated financial exposure which cannot be accounted for today as the company has gone aground and N36Bn investment now drained,” Okah stated.

•Sourced from a Daily Trust report

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