The Okoi Obono-Obla-led Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for the Recovery of Public Property has summoned the senator representing Delta South Senatorial District at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, James Manager over fraud and illegal acquisition of properties worth over N5bn with government funds, THE WITNESS learnt.

The panel is investigating the PDP senator following a petition written by a group, Conduct and Due Process. The group is calling the SPIP to investigate and prosecute the Delta lawmaker and also to request that the illegal properties allegedly scattered all over Delta, Abuja and the USA be temporarily forfeited to the FG. Some of the alleged properties include: a mansion in USA, KFT Event Centre in Warri (the biggest centre in Delta), Bendel Estate in Warri, a mansion in Apo area in Abuja worth over N500m, amongst others. Sources further disclosed that detectives from the Presidency were in Warri and Asaba, Delta State capital last week Tuesday to trace and mark the illegal properties.

Though Sen. Manager is said to have travelled out of the country to China for a seminar organized and sponsored by the Senate, THE WITNESS reliably gathered that he is billed to appear before the panel in Abuja on October 25, 2018 at 10am.

In line with THE WITNESS investigative journalism practice, our reporter contacted the chairman of the panel, Chief Obla who confirmed the report. “It’s true, we are investigating Senator James Manager,” Obla said.

Efforts to reach Sen. Manager for his angle to the reports proved futile as calls and text messages placed to his mobile line were not responded to as at press time.


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