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Angry Bayelsan youths yesterday held a rally to support the detention of Mr. George Turnah, godson to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Led by their coordinators, Harrow Zuokomor and Abule Bethel, the rally was held under the aegis of Concerned Citizens of Bayelsa State.
According to the organisers, they were shocked by the magnitude of the billions of funds allegedly seized from him.
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He was a two-time Special Adviser to former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from 2012 to 2015.
Turnah was alleged to have fraudulently diverted over N3billion suspected to be stolen funds from the NDDC.
While commending the EFCC for a job well done, they urged the agency to return the seized funds to enable the state to undertake the projects that they were earmarked for.
The youths carried placards with various inscriptions such as “We thank the EFCC for exposing corrupt persons,” “Enemies of Niger Delta exposed,” “George Turnah impoverished Bayelsa State.”
The protesters began their solidarity march from Ekeki Moteo Park to a deserted state House of Assembly and the Headquarters of the Police Command
Zuokomor submitted the group’s petition to the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Asuquo Amba for an onward submission to the EFCC and the Presidency.
He condemned corruption among political appointees in the states and at national level, saying it has continued to impoverish the ordinary people.
The police commissioner commended the peaceful conduct of the protesters and promised to deliver their message to the appropriate authorities.
The detained 34-year Turnah is facing a 12-count charge before a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, laundering and abuse of office.
The funds were allegedly lodged in the accounts of several ghost companies, including one belonging to his five-year old daughter.
Justice Ibrahim Watilat of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, had on Wednesday ordered his detention at the Kirikiri Prison.
