By Iteveh Ekpokpobe
As Nigeria braces up to combat the world ravaging COVID-19, Delta State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Matthew Tsekiri has fired his Special Assistant, one Comrade Karure Tene-Omadide, for not remitting to his coffers, part of his monthly salary.
By the same token, the commissioner has appointed his alleged girlfriend’s brother, one Mr. Progress Akpofure Okotete, as a replacement for the fired.
Our investigation, reveals that the sacked Special Assistant, constantly remitted N100, 000 (40%) out of his monthly salary of N250, 000 to the Delta State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Matthew Tsekiri.
The Commissioner’s displeasure was allegedly informed by his demand for a raise of remittance from N100,000 to N150,000 (60%), which met vehement refusal by his Special Assistant, leading to his sack.
Documents available, reveal that the sacked SA, who was appointed, on 16, September, 2019, had kept faith with the remittance up till the date of disagreement.
Precisely on 29, November, 2019 the sacked Special Assistant, transferred N400,000 out of the N819, 202 received as accumulated salary from the Delta State Government, into the account of one Miss Kesiena O.
The payment was done on the directive of the Commissioner, Hon. Matthew Tsekiri, to the lady alleged to be his girlfriend.
Also, on January 30th, 2020, the sacked Karure made a cash payment of N150,000 to the Commissioner, Hon. Matthew Tsekiri. While N100,000 was for the remittance, N50,000 was a soft loan to the Commissioner.
In the same vein, on 28th February, 2020, the sacked Special Assistant, made a transfer of N100,000 out his salary, to the Commissioner’s account.
It was gathered that it was the demand by sacked Special Assistant, for the Commissioner to refund his N50,000 loan that resulted in his sack.
According to our source, the Commissioner, felt a 20 percent upward review of remittance to N150,000 was necessary. The Special Assistant disagreed, and was fired.
In all, the Special Assistant paid to the Commissioner, a total of N650,000 (50%) out of an excess of N1, 319, 000 received between the months of engagement.
At the time of press, the sacked Special Assistant had yet to receive his termination letter. However, an appointment letter signed by the Secretary to State Government, Barr. Chiedu Ebie, and dated March 1st, 2020, with reference number, SGD/399/T68A/1049 for Special Assistant, was already issued to one Mr. Progress Akpofure Okotete.
Reacting to the allegations, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon. Matthew Tsekiri, said the allegations were false.
Tsekiri described the allegations as wrong information and requested a mail address to be forwarded to him for more details, which was done immediately. “it is wrong. It is wrong information. Please wait for me to get you the true information. Please send me email, let me send the real details.”
However, at press time, the Commissioner had not forwarded the supposed details as promised, even as calls and text message sent to his phone line “0806***2060” were neither honoured nor responded to.
Meanwhile, a group, Core Delta Youth, Uvwie Chapter, has condemned the act, describing it as sabotage on the contribution of youths towards the reflection of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, during the 2019 election.
The group’s Secretary, Comr. Felix Okeghene, urged the Commissioner to visit the matter and reappoint his sacked Special Assistant, Karure, who doubles as Chairman of Core Delta Youths, Uvwie Chapter.
The group also appealed to the State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to look into the injustice meted on their fellow.