WARRI DELINEATION: Lawyer seeks probe, warns against political manipulation, violence

Lawyer and politician, Chief Robinson Ariyo, has urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the Warri delineation exercise, saying there are allegations of financial inducement to favour some areas over others. Ariyo also called on the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to provide an independent written legal opinion on the legality of the exercise.

In a statement, he urged the President to direct relevant agencies to preserve all documents and records relating to the exercise and investigate allegations of financial misconduct, security compromises and electoral irregularities. He further called for an independent forensic audit of private surveillance contracts relating to Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta, particularly those whose financial transactions, beneficiaries or performance records might be connected to the allegations surrounding the Warri delineation controversy.

Ariyo also urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, to investigate credible allegations of suspicious dollar transactions, unexplained financial inflows and possible financial inducement of political actors, public officers, electoral personnel and security operatives in connection with the controversy.

The statement reads: “That the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice be requested to provide an independent, written legal opinion on the legality of the ongoing Warri delineation exercise, identifying the applicable constitutional provisions, statutory powers, judicial orders and procedural requirements governing the exercise.

The opinion should specifically distinguish between the delineation of electoral wards, State Constituencies and Federal Constituencies. “That INEC be formally requested, in the exercise of its constitutional independence, to publish the complete delineation report, supporting maps, methodology, relevant population and geographical data, stakeholder submissions and reasons for accepting or rejecting material objections.

That the Commission be urged to undertake a transparent review of any substantiated procedural or factual irregularities and refrain from implementing any aspect found to be unlawful, subject always to applicable judicial orders and statutory requirements. “That all relevant documents, correspondence, meeting records, maps, electronic records, financial documents and administrative communications relating to the exercise be preserved against destruction, alteration or concealment.

“That the appropriate federal authorities undertake an independent forensic audit of private surveillance contracts relating to Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta, particularly contracts whose financial transactions, beneficiaries or performance records may be relevant to the allegations raised herein. The audit should cover contract awards, disbursements, beneficial ownership, subcontracting arrangements, foreign-currency transactions and evidence of possible diversion of public funds, an independent scrutiny and examination of the oil production and sales by the NNPC within the period in view to determine whether or not there are leakages and if there are, the extent of such leakages.

“That the EFCC, ICPC, and NFIU, within their respective statutory mandates, investigate credible allegations of suspicious dollar transactions, unexplained financial inflows, and possible financial inducement of political actors, public officers, electoral personnel, or security operatives in connection with the Warri delineation controversy. “That the National Security Adviser, in collaboration with the relevant security agencies, conduct an impartial assessment of possible security compromises, threats to lives and property, and any evidence of inducement or improper influence involving security operatives in the affected areas.

“That adequate and impartial security measures be maintained in Warri North, Warri South and Warri South-West Local Government Areas to protect all residents, traditional institutions and legitimate community interests, irrespective of ethnic affiliation. “That Your Excellency convene a genuinely inclusive stakeholder engagement involving recognised traditional rulers, community representatives, relevant political stakeholders, legal practitioners and other affected interests from the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo communities.

Such engagement must not be used to impose a predetermined outcome but should provide an opportunity for all parties to present their grievances and supporting evidence. “That persons who provide credible information concerning financial misconduct, security compromise or electoral irregularities be afforded appropriate protection against intimidation, harassment, victimisation or retaliation.

“That the appropriate agencies be directed to provid