Mrs Judith Amaechi, wife of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, has denied claims by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that her non-governmental organisation, the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), received ₦4 billion monthly from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Wike made the allegation during a televised interview, where he stated that ESI was receiving monthly payments from the NDDC and implied that the organisation might have been indicted in the commission’s yet-to-be-published forensic audit report.

In response to the claim, Mrs Amaechi, through a statement issued on Tuesday by her media aide, Dike Bekwele, said neither she nor her NGO had ever received such funds from the NDDC. She described the allegation as “false and baseless.”

“The allegation that ESI receives ₦4 billion monthly from NDDC is completely untrue,” the statement read. “ESI was established in 2011 as a duly incorporated non-governmental organisation focused on empowering youths and women through skills acquisition and entrepreneurial development.”

According to the statement, ESI’s activities involving the NDDC have been based on formal agreements and are carried out transparently.

“ESI’s collaboration with the NDDC is based on signed Memoranda of Understanding for jointly funding human capacity development, vocational training, and entrepreneurial support for women and youths in the Niger Delta region,” Bekwele stated.

He further explained that the programmes implemented under the partnership have reached thousands of beneficiaries and are conducted under full public oversight.

Addressing the reference to the NDDC forensic audit, the statement rejected any insinuation of wrongdoing.

“The suggestion of an indictment in the forensic audit is a mere figment of imagination,” Bekwele said. “ESI maintains a strong commitment to accountability and sustainable development.”

Mrs Amaechi also reaffirmed the organisation’s mission and transparency record. “These initiatives have empowered thousands of beneficiaries and are open to public scrutiny,” the statement noted.

“We remain committed to working with stakeholders to create sustainable livelihoods for youths and women in the region.”