Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has ordered the immediate suspension of Omoun Perez, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, the governor also directed the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Bennett Agamah; Assistant Director, Agricultural Engineering, Oki Yintareke; and Chief Accountant, Gabriel Idiatacheko, to go on compulsory leave until further notice in accordance with civil service rules.
It added that the measures were necessary after the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources conducted an evaluation of the Greenhouse project’s operation.
It went on to say that the decision was made in response to the committee’s interim report and to ensure unhindered access to information during the investigations.
“Oborevwori has constituted a seven-man committee chaired by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, to investigate the claims and perceived infractions related to the management of the scheme by the ministry,” it said.
It said the government’s action is in no way a presumption of guilt but rather a necessary measure to uphold the sanctity of the investigative processes already instituted which is to ensure that the investigation is conducted without any potential for undue influence or bias.