By: Yusuf Alli

The Department of State Security Services (DSS) yesterday said it was probing a former Coordinator of Amnesty Programme for Niger Delta, Dr. Kingsley Kuku, over alleged link with attacks on oil pipelines.

Quoting intelligence report, the service alleged that Kuku was one of the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), DSS made the clarifications in a confidential note by one of its top officials, which was made available to the media.

It said: “It is rather disturbing that Kingsley Kuku, a fugitive, who is believed to be funding some illegal raids like the one carried out on the residence of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chibudom Nwuche, is planning to assume the behind-the-scene leadership of the unified South-South arms struggle to gain relevance in the present government, aimed at avoiding possible searchlight on the atrocities committed during his tenure as Special Adviser for the Amnesty Programme.

“Kuku, who is currently on self-exile, is also one of the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers and the large scale sabotage against the oil pipelines across the Niger Delta (2015 – 2017).”

The top source added: “I’m certain this is an issue that will not be swept under the carpet.”

Apart from the DSS, the former Special Adviser on Amnesty Programme is also being investigated over alleged mismanagement of N2,864,584,979 for the training of ex-militants.

The other allegations against Kuku are as follows:
• Inclusion of many undeserving people on the beneficiary list of Amnesty Programme;

•Circumstances surrounding how 2000 Amnesty Programme beneficiaries became stranded abroad;

• Over-bloated training contracts without adding value to the Amnesty Programme;

•Huge bills on all-expense international and local trips in private jets; and

• Operation of an expensive office in the United Kingdom

A source in EFCC said: “Kuku is also aware that since 2013, a group, Niger Delta Awareness Coalition & Ex Militants Leaders Forum had joined issues with him on the management of the Amnesty Programme.
“In one of the issues raised before ex-President Jonathan, the group alleged mismanagement of billions of Naira earmarked for the development of the Niger Delta.

“They also alleged that Niger Delta youths were shipped away to unaccredited training and educational institutions across most of the Third World.

“Our job as an anti-graft agency is to look into some of these allegations and find out the veracity or otherwise.

“By inviting Kuku, it does not mean he is guilty of the allegations against him. If there is nothing against Kuku, he will be given a clean bill of health. If, otherwise, he will face trial.”

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