The Bayelsa State Government said its attention has been drawn to a publication on the portal of an online news, Peoples Gazette, with a caption, “Whistleblower remanded in jail for exposing N3bn fraud in Bayelsa.
In a press release signed by the Director of New Media to the Bayelsa State Governor, Kola Oredipe, he stated categorically that there is no fraud anywhere in the management of the Agric loan and that Mr. John Idumange, engaged in the blackmail and treacherous act to attract personal gain.
The statement read, “The Central Bank of Nigeria officials have debunked the allegations raised by Idumange on the social media to the effect that no money was missing as the agricultural plan of the government is progressing well.
“Idumange, is well known to many Bayelsans as purveyor of fake news and a man deep in spreading falsehood on social media to gain political patronage.
“It is a known fact that this is the way Idumange gets political appointment over the years but he has met the wrong person in the incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who has clearly said he would not give political appointment to anyone out of blackmail.
“This government is not averse to constructive criticism and clearly open to good ideas for the betterment of the state.
“We are happy that majority of Bayelsans have equally condemned the unwarranted allegations and names calling by Idumange.
“We equally want to place on record that John Idumange, was not arrested on the order of the state government but through petitions by those he alleged to have diverted funds in series of his social media posts and on radio, the statement concluded.
