Richard Mofe Damijo And Acting Tourism GM Accused Of N50 Million Theft


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.”



www.saharareporters.com/news-page/delta-tourism-commissioner-mofe-damijo-and-acting-tourism-gm-accused-embezzling-n50-millio

The 50million would have been used for sustainable project or better stil one major road in delta state.Osama bin uduaghan will always sit on the fence in cases like this cause he is the father of corruption.

The story get as e be, very wishy washy, media propaganda.

otokx: The story get as e be, very wishy washy, media propaganda.

i dont want to believe everything in the the story but RMD and delta state is corruption inter-related, the man has lost his good image just because of greed.

mutiply: The 50million would have been used for sustainable project or better stil one major road in delta state.Osama bin uduaghan will always sit on the fence in cases like this cause he is the father of corruption.

for ur own good and for the good of children unborn dont believe anynews by sharareporters

too bad may God help us

Just 5omillion? RMD is kind hearted. GEJ loots in billions and in dollars too.

Prof Corruption: Just 5omillion? RMD is kind hearted. GEJ loots in billions and in dollars too.

Funny

I have always suspected Tinsel can't pay his bills. He is lenient sha to have stolen only 50M. By Naija standard, he is clean and his case won't even make it to the nearest police station.

floriana: I have always suspected Tinsel can't pay his bills. He is lenient sha to have stolen only 50M. By Naija standard, he is clean and his case won't even make it to the nearest police station.

Sahara reporters! Sahara reporters!! Sahara reporters!!! How many times I call una? Una no dey shame at all. Na so una take broke reach??

Sahara reporters and their cheap lies.

Na delta state na. Mtcheew! If u no talk corruption, wetin we go talk?

I no buy dis story

no be true

I cant read all that long post. Can someone summarise it abeg?

It is a crime nt 2 be corrupt in Nigeria & a thief wtout opportunity tinks himself an honourable man.

RDM has tarnish his image,no wonda d love of money is the root of all evil

younglad007: I no buy dis story

if only you know what our politicians are capable of,you would believe more than this story

timbros: I cant read all that long post. Can someone summarise it abeg?

the topic already summarised it for you

omo_to_dun: Just ₦50 million? Abegi... That one na chicken change jor. Him mate dey thief billions with swagger; nonsense.

By the way, 8th to comment.

i blame yhu

val_dubem: Sahara reporters and their cheap lies.

dats why we keep this our ignorance and allow this country to keep going down,do u have a genuine story?government ministries is one of the worst places where corruption is rampant

omo_to_dun: Just ₦50 million? Abegi... That one na chicken change jor. Him mate dey thief billions with swagger; nonsense.

By the way, 8th to comment.

What a re/tard ... I mean a full blown reta/rded idiota!
It is now ok to steal and loot?
And to make matters worse, you are claiming 8th to comment how old are you? #JustAsking

Stevechibu: RDM has tarnish his image,no wonda d love of money is the root of all evil

Who told you that -? That's ol school - being broke is the root of all evil ok - that's new schuul

What is RMD ?

dridowu: What is RMD ?

RMD is d name of d most decorated boxer in naija

Allo-emu-dee my fikin, so oo com torn komisiona to thief mony abi? U b disiglase to ursef....tifi tifi jankoliko how ar u, shaammme

A good name is always better than RICHES....RMD has spoilt the good name he had just because of N50M....OMASE O!

dridowu: What is RMD ?

Ret/ards Must Die

If at all money was embezzeled, I think it will be more than 50 million. Let's be realistic here. You see the cars and houses these guys have, is more than 50 million naira. Na God go help us for this country.