Veteran actor Richard Mofe-Damijo is making the headlines again and
it's not because of his appearance of in another high profile soap.
His integrity as the Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism
is seriously being questioned as he has been accused of looting N50
million belonging to the ministry.
RMD is accused of conniving with the General Manager of Delta state's
Tourism Board, Miss Philo Nkem Ajufo while he attempted to keep the
account's treasury open until thinking off holding back an amount of
money that has been available since the 'Delta Expo 2007'.
There is no proof but there was a chain of irregular activities under
subsequent administrations. However, it was learnt that the state
government could not approve the said amount that same year for some
reasons.
The source said the funds were eventually approved and released to the
ministry of tourism under the leadership of Damijo 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', a source
said
'The Honourable 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', the source added.
Some documents obtained by newsmen from the Delta State Ministry of
Finance reportedly show that the N50 million must be spent on the
event for which the Culture Ministry applied for it.
The warrant, which was signed by one P.O. Evuojapha on behalf of the
Commissioner of Finance indicates that N35 million of the funds was
meant for the Tourism Board.
Insiders however said that Damijo allegedly conspired to issue a
cheque of N35m in the name of the General Manager of the state's
Tourism Board, Ms. Ajufo who allegedly deposited the sum into her
First Bank private account number 3006131619.
'Mrs. Ajufo and RMD then shared the money', our sources alleges;
insisting Ms. Ajufo allegedly used her share of the looted funds to
start off a twin duplex building located at No.6 Dunkwu Crescent,
Asaba in June, 2012.
The twin complex we gathered is behind Junior Staff quarters and
opposite one of the branches of Redeemed Christian Church (RCCG) in
the state.
The source further said that tourism board's members 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'.
The actor-turned-politician denies all the allegations levelled
against him and maintains he's a silent mouth throughout the whole
drama.
In July 2012, the actor barked at blogger Linda Ikeji when she
reported he had acquired a home reportedly worth about N250m in Asaba,
Delta State.
