High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro Urges Security Agencies to Tackle Fraudulent Use of Office Name for Fake Empowerment Schemes

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has clarified that it was not involved in the “dialogue between stakeholders and former agitators of the Niger Delta,” hosted by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, Gift Johnbull, in collaboration with one ‘General MightyMan’ in Yenagoa on Tuesday.

The PAP Office made this clarification in a press statement signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, the Special Assistant on Media to the PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, on Thursday.

It stated that this explanation became necessary due to the unfortunate linking of the PAP Office with the Yenagoa Dialogue in some quarters and the ongoing fraud by individuals who collect money from unsuspecting victims using the Office’s name, falsely promising vocational training and empowerment benefits.

The statement further reiterated that beneficiaries of the Office’s vocational, educational scholarship, and post-training schemes do not pay any fees to benefit from these programs.

It quoted the PAP boss as warning all delegates of Phases One, Two, and Three, as well as other beneficiaries, about the ongoing fraud, advising them to refrain from giving money in exchange for alleged favors from the Presidential Amnesty Office.

Dr. Otuaro also called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in using the Office’s name for scams, to serve as a deterrent to others.

The statement read:

“The attention of the Presidential Amnesty Programme has been drawn to an event held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on 8 October 2024, which focused on a ‘dialogue between stakeholders and former agitators of the Niger Delta.’

“The PAP Office wishes to clarify that it was not a participant in the event, which was hosted by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, South-South, Gift Johnbull, in collaboration with one ‘General MightyMan.’

“This clarification has become necessary due to the misconception in some quarters that the PAP Office was involved in the event.

“We are concerned that, following the event, some individuals are impersonating the PAP Office and collecting money from unsuspecting members of the public with false promises of vocational skills training and other empowerment opportunities.

“The PAP Administrator, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, advises PAP delegates from Phases One, Two, and Three, as well as other beneficiaries, to avoid any activities not officially sanctioned by the Office.

“The PAP Office does not require money from potential beneficiaries for enrollment in its vocational, educational scholarship, and post-training initiatives.

“The Administrator is urging security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those using the PAP Office’s name to engage in fraudulent activities. The public should disassociate the PAP Office from any pay-for-engagement activities.”