BY INVESTINGATOR
Fresh controversy has erupted in Delta State following damning allegations leveled against the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, over his alleged role in diverting funds meant for a government-sponsored seminar for community newspaper publishers.
The accusations stem from confessions reportedly made by Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye, also known as Prince Joseph, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Community Newspapers. In conversations overheard by journalists and associates, Orhomonokpaye Prince Joseph claimed that the SSG took a substantial “cut” from the ₦10 million approved by the Governor for the Delta State Council of the Association of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria (ACNPN) to host a seminar.
According to Orhomonokpaye Prince Joseph, Dr. Emu allegedly demanded a portion of the seminar funds to be routed through his private hotel, Benizia Hotel Asaba, where the event was held. He also claimed that no political appointee in the state could access government funds without the SSG receiving a share, a practice he said dates back to the previous administration of Ifeanyi Okowa.
“These funds cannot move without him,” Orhomonokpaye Prince Joseph allegedly said. “Even files meant for the Governor must pass through him first. That’s why everyone worships him.”
Orhomonokpaye Prince Joseph, who faces a vote of no confidence from the ACNPN over allegations of mismanagement, abuse, and fraud, also told journalists he couldn’t challenge the SSG publicly because he still had pending financial deals requiring Dr. Emu’s approval.
The claims have cast a shadow over the office of the SSG, raising questions about transparency and the level of influence wielded by Dr. Kingsley Emu in financial decisions involving political appointees.
However, many journalists have dismissed Orhomonokpaye Prince Joseph’s statements, describing him as an unreliable and self-serving character unfit for his current role. “He’s a chronic liar, a blackmailer, and a disgrace to the media profession,” said one member of the association. “But his revelations, if true, expose a rot that goes beyond him.”
The ACNPN has formally passed a vote of no confidence on Prince Joseph following what they described as the hijacking of the May 20, 2025, seminar meant for 40 community newspaper publishers. The association alleged that the seminar, bankrolled by the Governor, turned into a “private jamboree” for Orhomonokpaye Prince Joseph’s friends and loyalists, many of whom had no links to journalism.
According to their findings, most ACNPN members were denied proper accommodation, training materials, and transport allowances. Some were housed in seedy hotels while others were completely excluded. It was also revealed that the seminar bags, allegedly meant for participants, were instead distributed to government officials to fake legitimacy of the program.
The association condemned Prince Joseph Orhomonokpaye’s continuous pattern of insults and threats to publishers via text messages and accused him of undermining the Governor’s good intentions for the community media sector.
“The Governor meant well, but his appointee has abused that goodwill,” the ACNPN said in a statement. “We appeal to His Excellency to redeploy Mr. Orhomonokpaye from this sensitive portfolio, as his continued presence is detrimental to the integrity of community journalism in the state.”
Despite the firestorm surrounding both the SSA and the SSG, the state government has yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
Political observers now watch closely to see whether Governor Oborevwori will launch an internal investigation or reshuffle his team to address growing concerns over accountability within his administration.
