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Despite leaving office as Chairman of a Local Government Area in Imo State some years ago and now a member of the Imo state House of Assembly, he still has a case to answer over alleged involvement in N18,860m scandal that rocked the LGA.
The member, Hon Acho Ihim, who is representing Okigwe state constituency, was Transition Committee Chairman and later Executive Chairman of Okigwe LGA between 2003 to 2009.
Hon Ihim who is House committee Chairman for Information and three other staff of Okigwe LGA were on Wednesday, March 5th 2014 arraigned at the Okigwe High Court Judicial Division over alleged forgery and fraudulent act of raising advance payment vouchers in the name of one staff, Mr Peter Eke to the tune of N18.l6l80 million.
In suit (WO Ho/12C/2010), which was presided over by Justice PC Ikpeama, the Imo Assembly member and others were arraigned for alleged involvement in the case. However, the inability of the counsel to the accused, Prince C Odomele of Duruiheoma Chambers, to file his motion for defence forced Justice PC Ikpeama to adjourn to the matter to May 26, 2014 for further hearing.
It would be recalled that Mr Peter Eke, former Head of department, Works Okigwe LGA through his counsel PL Osuagwu and co had petitioned the then Inspector General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro in a letter dated 9th June, 2008, urging the police to investigate the alleged fraudulent payment/collection of about N18,680 million for a said unexecuted project meant for Okigwe LGA.
Our reporter learnt that Ihim was the council chairman when the alleged scam was perfected. The other accused persons Ben Ndulor and Michael Chinemeze were also Director of Administrations and General Services (DAGS) and Superintendent of Works Respectively.
In another development the Imo State Head of Service, Calistus Ekenze appeared before the National Industrial Court sitting in Owerri yesterday via a Subpoena by the embattled beneficiaries of the 10,000 job scheme to produce certified true copy of some documents in connection with the recruitment of the 10,000 job.
Mr Uche Reginald Ihegiawunze, who represented the Head of Service told the court that non of the demanded documents originated from the office Head of Service, and went further to tender, one of the ……. Documents the White Paper on down sizing, which he said the Head of Service collected from the office of the Secretary of the State Government.
