The Niger Delta Watch, through its spokesperson, Freeborn Emiemene, has accused Edgar Biu Daniel, who is the Technical Adviser to the Presidential Amnesty Office, of allegedly being behind what the group described as monumental fraud going on in the Amnesty Programme. According to the group, there have been different allegations making the rounds against Dennis Otuaro over claims that illegal payments are allegedly being made through fraudulent means within the office.

The group further alleged that Dennis Burutu Otuaro knows little about the operations of the Presidential Amnesty Office and claimed that he cannot even treat simple files, resulting in a large number of files piling up in the office. According to the statement, Edgar Biu Daniel is allegedly the one running the Amnesty Programme from behind the scenes. The group claimed that if Edgar Biu Daniel does not look into the files and assist Dennis Burutu Otuaro, many official duties allegedly remain unattended to.

The allegations also stated that Edgar Biu Daniel has allegedly taken advantage of the situation to carry out several fraudulent transactions for personal gain. The Niger Delta Watch further accused officials within the Amnesty Office of allegedly diverting funds whenever Amnesty allocations are released.

According to the statement, whenever Amnesty allocations come into the office, Mathew Tonlagha allegedly directs Edgar Biu Daniel to wipe out all funds remaining after stipend payments and other expenses through fraudulent means. The group further claimed that the Amnesty Office is allegedly being treated as the personal business of Mathew Tonlagha, alleging that he paid ₦4 billion to secure the office.

The Niger Delta Watch called on the Federal Government to carry out a forensic audit of the Presidential Amnesty Office in order to track how money has allegedly been mismanaged since Dennis Burutu Otuaro became the Amnesty Administrator.

There have also been previous public controversies and allegations surrounding the Presidential Amnesty Programme under different administrations. Reports in recent years raised concerns over audit queries, financial management issues, and allegations of irregular payments within the programme