Lawyer Calls for Investigation into Warri Delineation Amid Allegations of Manipulation

Lawyer and politician Chief Robinson Ariyo has asked President Bola Tinubu to look into the Warri delineation process. He claims there are allegations of financial incentives aimed at favoring certain areas over others.

Ariyo wants the President to instruct the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to provide a clear legal opinion on whether the delineation is lawful. He also called for relevant agencies to keep all documents related to the process safe and investigate claims of financial misconduct and electoral irregularities.

In his statement, Ariyo suggested that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) should investigate suspicious financial activities linked to the Warri delineation.

He emphasized the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish a complete report on the delineation, including maps and data. He urged the commission to review any irregularities and not to implement any parts found to be illegal.

Ariyo also called for a forensic audit of private surveillance contracts related to oil and gas in the Niger Delta. This audit should check for any misuse of public funds and assess the oil production and sales by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) during this period.

He warned that the Warri delineation should not lead to community conflicts or political manipulation. Ariyo stressed the importance of fairness and justice for the people of the Niger Delta, noting that their contributions to Nigeria’s economy deserve proper representation and security.