Claiming that commissioners in the past administration left office taking a lot of government property with them, Governor Wike ordered the police to confiscate two of Ms Semenitari's jeeps yesterday. Security men forcefully invaded her home in Port Harcourt and carted away Ms Semenitari's Lexus sports utility vehicle and a Range Rover, claiming they were government property.
Incensed at the action, the former commissioner insisted that the vehicles rightfully belonged to her and her husband but were taken away from her residence in an attempt to rubbish her reputation. She accused Governor Wike of thuggery, saying that the violence was unwarranted and clear political victimisation.
Ms Semenitari said: “Over 10 heavily armed policemen in two trucks, one Ford Transit and a Hilux, invaded my Ernest Ikoli Street, residence without a search warrant, as they forced their way into my premises. My security guard on duty requested to know their mission and who sent them but they refused to disclose either but went round taking photographs and recording my premises on video.
"The security guard got in touch with my assistant who spoke with the men, explaining to them that I was out of town and again requested to know their mission. Again, they declined, insisting on seeing me first and she then got in touch with me on the phone as we were uncertain of the identity of the policemen in question."
Governor Wike and his predecessor were involved in a bitter war of words before, during and after the elections and the latest incident is expected to raise the political temperature in the state. Since assuming office, Governor Wike has accused the Amaechi administration of stripping state house bare and carting away all of its vehicles.
Ms Semenitari added: “Upon further investigation and after about three hours of them laying siege to my premise, I was told that they were from Rivers State Government House and had been sent to recover vehicles in my possession. They attempted to break into a Range Rover SUV belonging to my husband, which was bought long before I was appointed commissioner in Rivers State.
"The vehicle in question, contrary to the lies being paraded is not an armoured vehicle and has never at any point belonged to the Rivers State government nor its agents including myself as commissioner of information. By the time I finally made contact with them and expressed my displeasure, they insisted that they would take away a Lexus SUV duly allocated to me as commissioner for information and which by law I am entitled to leave with upon leaving office."
She pointed out that the monetization policy of the government allows public officers to leave with their official vehicles as this is in lieu of vehicle allowance, transport and other allowances, which they cannot draw because of the monetization policy of 2002. According to Ms Semenitari, Governor Wike served as chief of staff, and upon his departure left with all the vehicles he used, which has been the practice since this democratic dispensation.
“Having served as commissioner for two tenures, I am entitled to my status cars and have proof of allocation. While I understand that Governor Wike feels a dire need to destroy the reputation of Governor Rotimi Amaechi and all those who worked with him, it is unacceptable that he will engage in brigandage, thuggery and underhand tactics to do so.
"A simple letter from any government official requesting me to make a submission or tender documentation would have been the appropriate way to go and I would have willingly tendered all the relevant documents to them. Breaking into my home, invading my privacy, damaging my property and removing property from my premises is inappropriate and illegal," Ms Semenitari added.
Dr Dakuku Peterside, the Rivers State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, said the action of the government should be highly condemned by Nigerians. Also, the former senator representing Rivers South East senatorial district, Senator Magnus Abe, said there was need for the Wike government to exercise caution as it needs to respect the fundamental human rights of people especially people that have served Rivers people in the past.
He added: “Every position is temporary and disrespecting those people that had served the state in different capacities should be condemned in strong terms. When I was secretary to the Rivers State government and we needed to recover vehicles, we made an announcement on television and radio asking people to return government property in their possessions.”
Comments
Post a Comment