The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) under the leadership of the Administrator, High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, in a statement released by the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma, has cautioned the media to always "get the facts right, in order not to incite stakeholders against the management of the Programme, or disrupt the peace and stability of the Niger Delta region.”

The caution is coming on the issue of alleged funds mismanagement that was published by Sahara Reporters and Channelstv.com among other media organizations alleging that the PAP had illegally withdrawn over N6 billion and paid tuition for students without records.

While making clarification on the allegation, the PAP Office revealed that the audit findings were for alleged infractions that took place between 2020 and 2021, three years before the appointment of its current Administrator, Dr. Otuaro, who was appointed in March 2024.

The statement reads, ‘’We have become aware of a story published by Sahara Reporters with the headline, ‘How the Presidential Amnesty Programme illegally withdrew over N6 billion and paid tuition for students without records.’ Similar stories were also published by other media organizations, notably Channelstv.com.

‘’The news stories were based on the Auditor-General of the Federation’s audit report, which noted alleged infractions in managing funds for the Presidential Amnesty Programme between 2020 and 2021.

‘’We'd like to clarify that the audit findings and reports have nothing to do with the current Administrator of the Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro, as they predate his appointment as the head of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

‘’Dr Otuaro was appointed in March 2024, while the audit findings were for alleged infractions that took place between 2020 and 2021, clear three years before Otuaro’s appointment as the Amnesty boss," it added.

The Office stated that while Dr. Otuaro, since assuming office, has maintained transparency and accountability in the management of the PAP, cautioned those it referred to as "media friends" to conduct proper investigations to get to the facts as doing otherwise could cause chaos in the volatile region. 

‘’Since assuming office, Otuaro has diligently followed all extant rules and regulations regarding financial transactions at the PAP office, implementing strict financial controls and oversight to ensure transparency and accountability, and is committed to upholding the highest standards of financial management.

‘’As Administrator of the Programme, Otuaro has initiated a comprehensive review of the PAP's operations, focusing on streamlining processes, enhancing transparency, and improving service delivery, all of which have yielded significant positive results.

‘’We appeal to our media friends to be circumspect in publishing reports such as the one referenced above, and ensure that they get the facts right, in order not to incite stakeholders against the management of the Programme, or disrupt the peace and stability of the Niger Delta region.”

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