RIVERS EX-COMMISSIONER CLAIMS OWNERSHIP OF RECOVERED VEHICLE, ACCUSES RSG OF BRIGANDAGE.

The immediate past Rivers State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari has described as untrue allegations of her unlawful possession of properties belonging to the State Government.


In statement made available to TrulyNigeria, she claimed the Lexus Jeep recovered from her apartment was duly allocated to her in her capacity as Commissioner in the Rivers State Government and that she had proof of the allocation.

According to her, "The monetization policy of the government allows public officers to leave government 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."

She further accused the Rivers State Government of brigandage, thuggery and underhand tactics in seeking to destroy the reputation of Governor Amaechi and those who worked with him.

Ibim Semenitari, whose response repeatedly failed to acknowledge Chief Nyesom Wike as Governor of Rivers State, bemoaned the alleged unlawful entry into her premises, invasion of her privacy, damage of her property and the illegal removal of property from her premises.

She contended that 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", adding that she chose to put out the details in the public space to preserve her hard earned reputation.

Her response has however been greeted with wide condemnation on social media where it was released. Many opined that had the All Progressives Congress (APC)  government in which she served had obliged the transition committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the cooperation it sought for a smooth transition, as was done between both Political Parties at the national level, issues like these would have been clearly addressed behind closed doors.

A source preferring anonymity declared as untrue her claim that the said Lexus Jeep was covered by the monetisation policy of government. According to the source,"This particular jeep was neither paid for by her nor covered by any monetisation policy. What was given to her officially like all other Commissioners in her time was a Ford Jeep.

This one was gotten from the Governor's pool. If she claims it was a gift by the former Governor that is a different matter, which must be substantiated, but she should please save the world the half truths that she had paid for this vehicle or that it was covered by monetisation policy. That's being clever by half, as she'd readily agree", the source opined.

Efforts to get a response to her claims from the Rivers State government were not successful as at the time of going to press.
Source truly Nigeria.