As the six-man ad-hoc committee set up to probe allegations of fraud and corrupt practices leveled against the office of the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly, the number one lawmaker in the state legislature, Rt Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu has been asked to step aside for undiluted probe panel result.
This resolution came from few lawmakers who spoke under anonymity, a cross section of Imolites and Non Governmental Organizations who spoke to Trumpeta while reacting on the issue that has been on the front burner in Imo, popular opinion sought from residents of the state indicate that the ad hoc committee maybe on wishful venture and smokescreen to deceive Imotiles if the Speaker does not abdicate his office for the moment pending the outcome of the panel.
Some lawmakers who for fear of victimization spoke to Trumpeta while praying for their identities to be hiding said that the proper process is for the speaker to step aside before members of the committee are chosen.
Chukwu Amadi, a businessman based in Owerri noted that the standard practice in democratic setting is that the Speaker should give way for the committee to do a thorough probe job on issues raised by former media aide, Ikenna Samuelson.
While Mrs Nkechi Anyanwu, a civil servant at the state secretariat observed that it would be difficult in the society for a Speaker of a House to raise a committee that would indict him, an operator of an NGO, Comrade Okwuosha Patrick opined that the style of Imo Speaker appointing a committee to probe him is at variance with the Ruler of the House guiding appointment of ad-hoc committee members to probe any principle officer of the House including the Speaker.
“It is absolutely wrong and unacceptable for a speaker to appoint a committee when the speaker himself is the accused. It is like a team appointing referees to handle its matches in a competitive game. Imolites have expected the Speaker to behave like other leaders of legislative House when they are under investigation.
Take for insurance the case of Wabara as Senate President. Another Senator from River State Mbata acted for the setting up of the committee. Even late Enwerem and Okadigbo also stepped aside when confronted with allegations.
Same applies to Etteh of the House of Representatives who aside based on allegation against them”, he added.
Meanwhile, management of Trumpeta is yet to be properly communicated on reasons why the ad-hoc committee led by Ikenna Emeh publicly demanded for the newspaper during its maiden outing last Friday after announcements on the radio inviting Trumpeta and others, the management directed its lawyer to write the committee demanding reasons for the invitation. As at the time of this report no official response from Emeh’s committee has reached Trumpeta office on reasons for the invitation as requested by our counsel.
The management of the Owerri-based tabloid believes that as the fourth Estate of the realm in the society, its primary responsibility is to publicize and inform readers about activities of the people including public office holders. Freedom of speech and expressions is enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.
The medium feels that the action of the ad-hoc committee is within spitting distance to the inglorious military terror regime in Nigeria’s history where attempts were made to not only gag the press but also stifle life out of the vociferous media by the outlawed style of government.
While Trumpeta has vowed not to succumb to such unwarranted threat and intimidation from an arm of government that is empowered to sustain growth of democracy which promotes free speech and freedom of expression, the medium however observes that the members of the said committee do not possess the moral rectitude and required background to adjudicate over such matter,
The antecedents of the Emeh ad-hoc committee members cast doubt on their abilities to undertake an unbiased probe panel considering their past in recent times.
Emeh representing Isu state constituency and the committee chairman has no business in the probe panel if the outcome of an earlier committee he was part of is anything to go by.
Emeh, a lawyer was part of the ad-hoc Committee that found the impeached Deputy Governor, Sir Jude Agbaso wanting based on the allegation that Joseph Dina of Jpros claimed the out of favour number two man in Imo collected N458m bribe, being part of the money for a road contract in the state. The report of the controversial Committee however turned away when a report of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC gave Agbaso a clean bill of health contrary to the findings of the committee Emeh was part of. Heading another committee to investigate a fraud-related case is unexpected and a misnomer since the state Assembly is yet to clear itself of the discrepancies associated with EFCC report on Abgaso and considering the authenticity of the House action, is a matter before the law court as Agbaso is challenging his removal from office.
Since that report has k-leg, Emeh should keep off all Committees. It is also important Emeh clears the air and inform the public his relationship with regards to the ownership of a new hotel called “Catchy Hotel” located in New Owerri, behind Owerri Plaza with street value not less than N5000m (Five Hundred Million naira). If part of the allegations leveled against the Speaker is ownership of a hotel worth millions of naira in Owerri, Emeh needs to clear the air in his interest on the new hotel.
Another member of the committee that should have resigned membership immediately his name was mentioned by the Speaker is member representing Okigwe zone, Acho Ihim. The Onwa Okigwe as Ihim is fondly called deserves no place in the House of Assembly if morality is a yardstick for admission. Ihim at present is still standing trial before a High Court in Okigwe Division over a case bothering on alleged embezzlement of N18.860m when he was Okigwe LGA chairman. The House committee chairman on information and three other staff of Okigwe LGA were on Wednesday March 5, 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 N18.16m. the suit (WOHO12C/2010) was presided by Justice PC Ikpeama. It would be recalled that Mr Peter Eke former Head of Department, Works, Okigwe LGA through his counsel, P.L Osuagwu & co, had petitioned the then IG, Mike Okiro in 2008 urging the police to investigate the alleged fraudulent payment/collection of about N18.680m for a said unexecuted project meant for Okigwe LGA.
Even as some parents and indeed Imolites are yet to overcome the sad reminders of the untimely death of some students and admission seekers who were on their way to take examination outside their locality no thanks to Ihim’s academic establishment called Busy Brain, the lawmaker was also enmeshed in another alleged scandal when a committee by his councilors reportedly found him wanting.
Another member of the Committee that should keep off the probe panel is Bro Stan Dara. In view of the controversy that has continued to trail the Rural Road Project of the state government where Dara chairs the committee, his presence will discredit the panel. The ongoing governor’s visit to the 27 LGAs of the state has further revealed the shoddy deals that have characterized the manner contracts were awarded and executed following outcry that contractors eloped after receiving government money.
The brickbats noticed between the Dara Committee and contractors bothering on allegations of asphalt racketeering and other unwholesome disclosures disqualifies the member representing Orsu from the committee. Besides, since part of the allegation centres on award of road contract, involving Dara who was in charge of the Rural Road committee the Emeh led committee is on fast lane to window-dressing than serious business.
For Obowo representative, Celestine Ngoabiwu, his membership of the Committee is a sham arrangement if the recent threat to arrest him by the governor is anything to go by. The unassuming ranking lawmaker has a question mark surrounding his integrity when his constituents alleged that a said contractor allegedly diverted money meant for road project to roof his new house in the village. Though Ngaobiwu and the contractor denied the allegation, but it didn’t stop Okorocha to inform him of his possible arrest if the missing contractor fails to execute the jobs for which they had been paid.
With the above antecedents, it is obvious that the committee members are not qualified among the 26-member House to probe the Speaker due to the paucity of morality
Meanwhile the committee investigating the allegation has insisted that the former aide to the Speaker, Samuelson Iwuoha should appear at the house and tender his evidence to prove that the speaker is corrupt as he claimed.
The chairman of the panel Hon Ikenna Emeh during the first sitting of the matter on Friday expressed disappointment on Samuelson Iwuoha for not honouring his invitation.
According to Emeh, nobody is above the law but he that alleges must be able to prove “Samuelson must appear before us or be arrested for false allegation against the Hon Speaker” he said.
Speaking further, Hon Emeh said the committee is going to present an unbiased report and if eventually, the speaker is found guilty in all the accusations leveled against him, he will be impeached.
He therefore submitted that another 7 days will be given to Samuelson to appear before the panel.
He explained that the committee members are ready to come to his house at Ikenegbu to hear his complains and petition, adding that his protection is assured
The next seating comes up next week
Some members were however absent for no justified reasons.
Moreover some Imolites who witnessed the first seating demanded that speaker Uwajumogu be stepped aside so that he will not influence the outcome of the matter.
On the issue of letter of invitation to Trumpeta newspaper, Hon Ndubuaku representing Orlu in the state House of Assembly explained that the newspaper house was invited to come and witness the truth of the matter so that they will not write out of point.
On the absence lawmakers who failed to show up
No reason was given by Hon Dr Obioma Ekennia and Ngaobiwu representing Ezinihitte and Obowo respectively for being absent. Their absence was conspicuous and showed that crack has already developed among the committee members. The members present were Emeh, Dara, Ndubaku and Ihim.
Meanwhile the political gulf existing between the incumbent Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa is widening rapidly, following the sound of drums of war at Orlu zone, as a result of the defection of Chief Felix Idiga (JAFAC) from the All Progressives Congress APC , to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP.
This Newspaper learnt that of all the political injuries Udenwa has inflicted on him, Okorocha is not taking the defection of Idiga from APC to PDP lying low, and has sworn not to forgive Udenwa for this great political blow on his camp.
Chief Felix Idiga, a stupendously rich man, hails from Amaifeke, in Orlu LGA and before last week, was a member of the APC, with whom Okorocha was well pleased.
However, Udenwa played a political master stroke on Okorocha by convincing JAFAC to dump Okorocha and his APC.
It would be recalled that Governor Udenwa, a quiet and taciturn political strategist, had left PDP and joined the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria ACN, to contest for the Orlu Senatorial seat in 2011.
But the ACN joined other political parties to morph into the APC. Therefore, Udenwa was still minding his business in APC when Okorocha dumped APGA and joined Udenwa in APC.
However, in 2011, Udenwa worked in delivering Okorocha as Governor, especially in Orlu zone, where Senator Araraume, who ran under ACN as Governorship candidate was shocked to his bone marrows, when Udenwa abandoned his party ACN, to actualize the Orlu agenda, to support Okorocha.
Unfortunately, when Okorocha became Governor, the Ship could not contain him and Udenwa and both men parted ways, until Okorocha jettisoned APGA, and suddenly found himself in the APC room with Udenwa again.
Luckily for Udenwa who was looking for an opportunity to bolt away from APC as he and Okorocha were not political bed-fellows, the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan urged the Amaifeke born politician to join forces with PDP for the 2015 elections.
Therefore, Udenwa was among Imo political heavy weights who joined PDP when Jonathan visited the state in February.
Haven joined PDP, Udenwa systematically began the process of poaching his “men” still remaining in APC, and one of the major target was Felix Idiga, who wanted to run for the Orlu senatorial seat under APC.
Udenwa was said to have convinced the business mogul to abandon Okorocha for PDP as he could still realize his dreams under PDP platform, with his support and that of the Presidency.
Therefore, It was a big shock to Okorocha, and devastating calamity to APC, when one of its financiers not only dumped the party, but went over to PDP with over six thousand (6,000) of his followers.
Trumpeta also learnt that Udenwa has been working on his followers, still with Okorocha, to jump Ship before the party primaries commence.
The loss of Idiga by Okorocha is said to be causing confusion among the APC members in Orlu, many of whom are now disillusioned and indicating interest to move to PDP, as they argued that with Udenwa and Idiga gone, there was no other person left to fund the party in Orlu zone, even as they said Senator Osita Izunaso cannot spend on the party like JAFAC did.
Meanwhile, sources told Trumpeta that the former Governor has made it clear that Okorocha will regret over reneging in their agreement in 2011 after he won the election.
“The battle in Orlu will be fierce. Okorocha has an uphill task as he is bound to confront Udenwa, Hope Uzodimma and others for Orlu votes.
If Okorocha loses Orlu in 2015, from which zone will he get the votes to return to Douglas House?”
