The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Joy Nunieh, did not participate in the mandatory one year programme of the National Youth Service Corps.
The minister, who told the House of Representatives Committee investigating financial mismanagement in the NDDC on Monday, also said the ex-managing director had no exemption letter.
When asked about his fracas with Nunieh, the minister said, “The former Managing Director of the NDDC was relieved of her appointment when I received a letter from the then Chief of Staff (may his soul rest in peace) that she did not possess the requisite qualifications to be there.
“For instance, we have written twice to the National Youth Service Corps and twice they have insisted that she never served and that she does not have an NYSC certificate or an exception.”
Akpabio added that among other reasons, Nunieh was sacked for insubordination.
Nunieh and the minister have been subjects of controversies of late with the ex-MD accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment and for hijacking the forensic audit of the NDDC which was ordered by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
The minister had denied the claims and threatened to sue her for defamation of character.