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Tag: Ebonyi State

  • Why we tried to kill Ebonyi businessman- Gang members

    Some members of the six man robbery and kidnapping syndicate that kidnapped, robbed and attempted to murder a businessman in Ebonyi State, Mr Monday Udoka Oke, have recounted how the operation went down and why they tried to kill the businessman.

    They spoke in Abakaliki after they were paraded by the Police in the state alongside other crime suspects recently arrested by the command for various crimes.

    In an interview with journalists, Chinonso Desmond who led the group confessed to the crimes.

    He said they shot and tried to kill Oke because one of them MD who is still at large suspected that the businessman who owns Monabliss hotel Abakaliki knows him and will identify him.

    ”It is my friend MD Mohammed that introduced me into kidnap of Monablis. It was in the night that they called me on phone in Enugu state and I came down to Abakaliki for the kidnap of the man. I was smoking with them, we discussed how to execute the kidnap,” he began.

    On how the kidnapping was carried out Desmond has this to say: “We moved to the street where Monablis hotel is located. We were smoking and saw Monablis when he was coming out of his hotel and we followed him up.

    Read Also:Four alleged serial rapists ‘Badoo’ gang members lynched in Lagos

    “We blocked him with his car. After we blocked him, we took him to a place called Azugwu in Abakaliki and when we reached there the man gave us N150, 000. MD forced him to do mobile transfer for us to get more money from him and he did the transfer. He transferred to me N1.5million into my account. MD did not have account and he transferred money for MD also into my account, he transferred N1million for MD and it became N2.5million he transferred into my account for me and MD”

    Desmond who confessed to being the one who shot the businessman said they took the decision to kill him so that he will not implicate them.

    “After the transfer, MD said the man knows him very well. We took him (Monablis) to one River and I don’t know the name of the river but they called it Ebonyi river. The man was begging us, when he tried to escape, we shot him. I was the one that shot him, we were not sent by anyone to kidnap him”.

    For Loveth Nnenna, a female student of the Ebonyi State University, she was introduced to the group by her boyfriend who was arrested on his way to into the state from Enugu with some guns.

    “I was arrested for kidnapping and armed robbery. I was at home when Desmond and MD the one that ran away came to me at Azugwu where I was staying and told me to enter car and I entered. I didn’t know where we were going to but we landed in a bush and when we got to the bush, I saw two guys lying down. Within a short period of time, Desmond carried Monablis and came in. Then, they released the two guys that were lying down”

    “Desmond told the Monablis ‘oga, let’s do business’ and he said no problem. He asked Monablis how much do you have in your account and he replied him. He told Monablis that he will transfer monies into our individual accounts and he agreed”.

    “He sent N1.5 million into my own account and Desmond told me to give N500, 000 to one of us here, I should also give N500, 000 to the one that ran away and then leave the remaining N500, 000 in my own account. They kept two guys with me so that I will not run away from the area.

    “They then carried Monablis into one bush where they shot him; I was not there when they shot him. When they came back, they started fighting themselves saying they didn’t shoot the man very well that he ran away. Desmond then ordered two guys to go into the river and find Monablis that the man is not dead,” she said.

    She further narrated how she was initiated into the cult group by members of the gang.

    “I am final student of Ebonyi state University department of Sociology. I know this group as cultists and I met them this semester. My boyfriend was once in police cell in Enugu and it was through him that I met Okechukwu one of us”.

    “They told me that my boyfriend is coming from Enugu to shoot me because I reported the person that stole my cell phone, that he asked me not to report to the police and I reported to the police. On his way coming back with two guns, they arrested him. It was on that day that Monablis was kidnapped that I was initiated into cultism, it was the group that initiated me. I belong to bagger confraternity”.

    Another suspect, Murtala Usman who was arrested for buying the necklace stolen from the businessman denied being involved in the kidnap.

    “I don’t have any role in the kidnap. I am doing Bureau De change business and on Wednesday Morning I was in my shop when the gang leader with a young woman brought necklace to me to buy. The lady told me that she lost her mother and that they want to do her burial and that they need money for the burial”.

    “After we finished doing the business and I gave them the money, two days later police came and arrested me. They asked me where the necklace was and that I should provide it for them and I did as they said. I bought the necklace at the rate of  N600, 000,” he said.

    Earlier, Police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah said five out of the six members of the gang involved in the kidnap and attempted murder of top business mogul and owner of popular Monabliss hotel in Abakaliki, Monday Udoka Oke were arrested.

    The spokesman said the six man gang led by Ikpuecha Chinonso Desmond first attacked one Ikwuobe Odeh Samuel at his residence, No 10 Ofor Street Abakaliki, kidnapped him and his friend in his Toyota Highlander Jeep with Reg No. MKD 421 TS and whisked him to a nearby bush at Azugwu Onuebonyi in Abakaliki on 21st of May.

    “After robbing them of some cash and other valuables including phones and laptops, the gang blindfolded them and kept them hostage after which they proceeded with the said highlander jeep to kidnap Mr Oke,” she said

    According to the police, one hour later at about 11 pm, the gang double crossed Mr Monday Oke as he left his Hotel, located at 95 Nnorom Street Abakaliki kidnapped him in his Honda car and took him to Onuebonyi River

    Once there, they proceeded to rob him of a cash sum of N200, 000 in his possession and other valuables such as gold necklace, hand bangle, belt, ring, shoe, wrist watch, hand bag, iphpone8plus and Samsung galaxy edge plus phones.

    Odah said the kidnappers then took his phone and transferred various large sums of money to their respective bank accounts which total amounted to N5.2m.

    After robbing him, “Mr. Monday Udoka was shot and pushed into the river by the gang believing that he was dead while the first victims Mr Samuel and friend were released unhurt”

    On receiving the news, Odah said the command immediately commenced intelligence led investigation which took its operatives to Enugu/Nsukka where five of the gang members were arrested.

    She gave the names of the five arrested members as: Ikpuecha Chinonso Desmiond, 32 years, Uguru Okechukwu 22 years, Nnaemeka Nwinya, 32 yrs, Igwe Ekene 28 yrs and the only female member of the gang, Loveth Okpara Nnenna, 26 yrs.

    The Police also paraded eight persons who allegedly killed one Anselem Omah at Onu-Orie Umuoghara Ezaangbo, Ohaukwu local government area on Tuesday.

    The Nation had earlier reported how the 32 years old Mr Omah was killed in cult clashes in the area.

    Parading the suspects at the State Headquarters of the Police in Abakaliki, spokesman of the command, Loveth Odah said the suspects also robbed other innocent citizens of their belongings.

    “One English berretta pistol, one live cartridge, 10 live ammunition, one Volkswagen car, one long machete and substance suspected to be charm were recovered from them”.

    She added that they have also confessed to the crime.

    Odah, an Assistant Superintendent of Police further said that the command arrested one Awoke Ikechukwu also known as  ‘IK Dokpor’, a prime suspect in the robbery and murder of one Michael Nwodom at Afikpo street Abakaliki on July last year.

    Recovered from the suspect are one barreta pistol with 10 lives 9mm ammunition and the phone of the deceased.

    The spokesman said the police also arrested one Oken Chimezie with one revolver pistol in his tricycle along G-hostel Abakaliki whle the duo of Ifeanyi Onyibe and Nweke Joshua were arrested for unlawful possession of a revolver pistol, one axe and a machete at Ezillo junction Ishielu local government area.

    “One Nwabuike Nnabuike was arrested along No. 2 Nsugbe Avenue Abakaliki who robbed one Ugochi Chukwu of her phone valued at N12, 000 with constructed locally made pistol. The said gun and phone were recovered from him”, Odah said.

    “In the same vein, on 23rd March, One Friday Chibuike, 21years, was arrested at Umuoru Obode road Ezzangbo who robbed Igboke Ngozi and her son at gunpoint. One locally made single barrel short gun with one live catridge, four 6mm live ammunition and one dagger were recovered from him,” she added.

  • Lawmaker’s outreach lifts Ebonyi community

    An organisation, Caring Heart Foundation has attended to the health needs of over 3000 ailing residents of Abaomege, a community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, reports OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE

    In Abaomege community, lack of functional health facilities has affected quality healthcare delivery in the area. The only health facilities in the area are poorly-equipped, dilapidated clinics.

    The first health care facility that was built in the community, in 1938, has been in deplorable condition and non-functional.

    This explains why the people of the area suffer all manner of sicknesses including peptic ulcer, tuberculosis, malaria, hypertension, and hepatitis, among others, without adequate medical attention.

    That was why Caring Heart Organisation, a non-governmental organisation, organised free medical services for the people both old and young.

    The NGO which is owned by a House of Representatives member representing Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo federal constituency, Hon. Linus Okorie  also embarked on the reviving the moribund first health facility in the area.

    President General of the community, Prince Joshua Umoke while speaking with our correspondent described the free medical outreach as the first of its kind in the area.

    He lamented that the people of the area have continued to suffer one of sickness or the other without medical attention as a result of lack of health facilities in the area.

    “The beneficiaries of the health services  are all from various locations villages, we have about seven settlements under Abaomege clan and people from all the segments are here today.

    “This is the first of kind, we have been seeing several healthcare programme but none of them landed on the ground like this one. Some people here  don’t even have money to transport themselves to the hospital for medical treatment and this great opportunity came from the caring heart foundation.

    “We have only local clinics in this town which are in bad conditions, they don’t even have facilities.  The caring heart is equally renovating the first health care facility that came to this place in 1938. If you go there, you will see the way Hon. Linus Okorie has transformed the health facility which has been in deplorable state”, he said.

    Some of the patients who benefited from the free medical outreach commended the NGO and called for the sustenance of the exercise.

    One the patients, a 70-year-old man, Igwe Clement, said, “I came here for medical attention, I have headache and ulcer and they gave me some tablets to use and come back next time. I am very happy that someone takes care of my illness. Most of us don’t have money for medical attention but Hon. Linus Okorie has assisted us by bringing medical services nearer to us”.

    A woman, Mrs. Ekene Melody explained that her children were the beneficiaries of the free medical outreach.

    “I am here for my children sake, they are not feeling fine. I got a message that there is a free medical services going on in our community and I decided to take them here since we don’t have functional health facility in our area. My children are having malaria, eye problem and ear problem. I am happy about this free medical outreach”.

    A scientist, Ugbon Emeka said the free medical outreach  will go a long way in ameliorating the sufferings of the people in the area. He noted that over 500 patients benefited from the exercise.

    “We have attended to more than 500 patients and more are still coming. In rural area like this where there are bushes here and there, the people suffer one sickness or the other. Some of them that don’t have better healthcare delivery can contract diseases like HIV and Hepatitis  without knowing it.

    “With this exercise, we were able to fish-out some of that sickness and referred them to appropriate quarters where they can be attended accordingly. We have been able to attend to some people and discovered some who have HIV and are well equipped because we came with medical experts”, he stated.

    One of the pharmacists, Mrs. Helen Nwuze who attended to the patients during the medical services disclosed that high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, peptic ulcer were common diseases the people of the area were suffering.

    “We are discovering high blood pressure, we are discovering diabetes mellitus which we call DM, we are peptic ulcer, some we discovered coughs that needed higher attention like suspected TB that we normally refer them to a place they can treat themselves”.

    On his part, Medical Director of AMURT, an international health organisation that collaborated with the Caring Heart Foundation for the exercise, Dr. Martins Agu  explained that the exercise was divided into three segments to achieve the desired goal.

    “We have three segments for the exercise; we have that for children from 18 years down, we also have for pregnant women, we have for adult. In each of the sections, we have our pharmacists, we have our team of doctors seeing them and we also have our Laboratory unit.

    “We are targeting at least 400 adult; we are also targeting 300 children. We also have pregnant women but they are not as much as we expected. The most prevalent cases we have attended is malaria, hyperte-nsion because most of the elderly ones are hypertensive and they are not properly taken care of.  We are doing what we can do by

    counseling them because we can’t treat them or cure them. We counsel them and make them know they have the sickness and what they should do”.

    Also speaking, Programme Coordinator caring heart and medical outreach, Onyekachi Ani said medical experts were engaged for the medical outreach.

    According to him, the medical outreach has referral services for patients whose cases are in bad situation.

    “The components of this programme include the presence of the AMURT people; its an international NGO and they came with their ultra-sound and lab equipment. They are to examine pregnant women and scan children that might have one issue or the other either a turmoil or the other.

    “We have referral services. If on the cause of diagnosis, doctor may discover a severe case that needed serious care they will refer the child to our ambulances and we will take the child to Federal Teaching Hospital and Hon. Linus Okorie will offset a bill of whatever amount it will be.

    “We have done that at Akaeze in Ivo local government area where we caught a child that have severe case that is cutting of intestine and Hon.  Linus Okorie Paid off the bill. We went to Ugwulangwu, Ohaozara local government and saw a child that has turmoil and when examination was conducted, it was discovered that it is a case and the treatment will last for six months and we have resumed the treatment. Hon. Okorie has paid in N150,000 case.

    “We have another child that has umbilical hyena, it has been diagnosed and the child has been booked for major surgery. The financial aspect of this medical outreach is being taking care of by Hon. Linus Okorie.  The money for this programme this October this year is already in my account as the coordinator of this programme. This programme will run for ten months,” he said.

     

  • Fire razes 15 shops, 10 vehicles in Ebonyi Mechanic village

    Tragedy struck Wednesday at the Mechanic village Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital as more than 15 shops with properties and wares worth millions of naira and about ten vehicles were burnt in an early morning fire.

    The fire incident which started at 5:am is coming barely five days after some traders at the shop rioted to protest  what they termed leadership imposition by some persons in the state.

    Already there are strong allegations that the fire incident may have been deliberately set by one of the factions involved in the leadership tussle.

    Meanwhile, some of the victims who spoke have lamented the loss of their livelihood and called on the state government to come or their aid.

    Narrating his ordeal, Christian Enwerem, a victim said apart from his shop that was gutted by fire, the fire also destroyed equipment, Calibrating machine worth N3million, motor parts he was selling, customers’ properties among
    others.

    “I was in my house around 7am this morning when somebody and told me to come to shop immediately that everywhere was on fire and that our workshop has been burnt to ashes. When I came in, I discovered that my workshop has been burnt down by fire”

    “We don’t use electricity here, I have generating set to energize my workshop here and I always off it whenever I am through with what I on if for. My injector calibrator machine, motor components spare parts inside the shop were gutted by fire”.

    Acting Chairman of NATA, Chidiebere Uzor Expressed sadness over the disaster and alleged that it was masterminded by enemies of the mechanic village.

    “I was in my house this morning when I received a call from one of the security men that there was fire in the mechanic village. I engaged many security men to be guarding the mechanic village but the crisis we had here last Friday stopped them from coming here again. So, some of them called at 5:30 am that this place was on fire”.

    “I had to drive to the mechanic village. I rushed to fire service office and alerted them and we followed together and came to the mechanic village. Before we could get to the scene, vehicles have been burnt  to ashes, shops have also been burnt. The fire wanted that to enter other shops but the fire service men quenched it.

    “But I must tell you that the fire is suspicious. There are four burnt tires in four different locations where the fire emanated; it is not an ordinary fire. It is a planned deal and I wonder what the person who did it will benefit from it.  Soon, they will be fished out because they cannot succeed no matter the way they planned it.

    “We talked about peace Wednesday, we had peace meeting with Senior Special Adviser to Governor Umahi on Internal Security and we all agreed to maintain peace that yesterday Tuesday, why burning vehicles and shops today? I went there with all my executives for the peace talk but only two from the other faction were present and that is not how to make peace because every aggrieved member must be present so that if anything happens after the meeting, you cannot hold anybody”.

    “For me to see all these burnt tires position round these shops and vehicles that were burnt, something is behind it. So, we will fish out the perpetrators and I will make sure that everybody know about it”

  • Democracy day: South East being marginalized in Nigeria – Umahi

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Tuesday said the Southeast is being marginalised in the country.

    He however, emphasized the need for the zone to constructively engage the federal government on the issue.

    Umahi stated this at the Oruta Ngele Stadium Abakaliki during his democracy day speech.

    He said though the zone is not happy with the way it was being marginalised, the Governors of the five states in the region believe constructive engagement as being championed by the Governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo was the way to go.

    He condemned the method being deployed by pro Biafran groups in the county which he said is inimical to peace and development of the region.

    He further condemned the seat-at-home exercise called by Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, for tomorrow in the zone.

    Read Also: I won’t castigate Buhari, says Umahi

    He warned that any trader in the state who fails to open his shop tomorrow in solidarity with the IPOB and MASSOB will be made to forfeit the shopsto government.

    “And so, any trader that closes shop will forfeit the shop forever. Anybody that flouts this order will be decidedly dealt with. I ask Ebonyians to go about their businesses freely and peacefully.

    “Let me say that when we the South East Governors say that we don’t want the activities of IPOB does not mean that we are very happy with the marginalization of the South East in the affairs of our nation.

    “But we are saying that the way IPOB is going to address the matter is not the right way. The right way is what the Ohanaeze Ndigbo did; which they did in the committee of Igbo people and that is what we believe.

    “We call on the federal government to look into the plights of the South East people and address the issue of marginalization. We believe in one Nigeria that is found in equity and fairness and fair play”.

  • Ebonyi warns IPOB, MASSOB over seat-at-home order

    Ebonyi state government Monday warned the Separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign state of Biafra, MASOB to steer away from the state or face the consequences.

    It also urged residents of the state to ignore the seat-at-home order issued by the pro biafran agitators for the 30th of May and go about their lawful businesses on the said date.

    IPOB and a faction of MASSOB had issued an order urging Igbos to seat-at-home on Wednesday, 30th of May, 2018, to commemorate the declaration of Independence of Biafra by late Biafra war lord, Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu.

    IPOB was last year declared a terrorist group by the federal government while its activities were proscribed in the South East by Governors of the Region under the leadership of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state.

    Read Also:IPOB sit-at-home: Police, others hold joint show of force

    During a press briefing on Monday, Senior Special Assistant to the governor David Umahi on Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, said the state has adopted all necessary security measures and nothing of such would take place in the state.

    “You recall that in 2017, there was this idea of sit-at-home by those who call themselves Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and that brought some chaos in some big cities like Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo, but in Ebonyi here we have always been lucky. God has always being with us and with the proactive measures we adopted, we were able to handle the situation.

    “You could equally recall that the activities of IPOB have been proscribed by the southeast governor’s forum which our Governor, Engr. David Nweze UMAHI is the chairman.

    “Now, we have started gathering security information and reports that people are going to sit-at-home on 30th of May. But the governor has directed us to inform the public that there is nothing like sit-at-home on 30th May. We don’t allow it in Ebonyi state. It can never be observed here. We don’t recognise it and it has nothing to do with Ebonyi stats.

    “The activities of IPOB has been proscribed. As government, one of the responsibilities we owe the people is to ensure the protection of lives and property.

    “So, everybody is expected to go about their lawful businesses. The security agencies are already on alert and proper security measures have been put in place to ensure that every law abiding citizen of the state go about their normal business without interruption,” he said.

    Ugbala said Ebonyi state government would not tolerate any plot to sabotage its efforts in developing the state’s economy.

     

  • Businessman survives assassination attempt in Ebonyi

    A business mogul in Ebonyi state, Chief Monday Okeh who was kidnapped has escaped assasination attempt by his abductors.

    Enraged by the incident, the state Governor, David Umahi has vowed to sign his first death warrant once the arrested kidnappers of Mr Okeh are convicted.

    Okeh was kidnapped in front of his Monablis Hotel, Mile 50 Abakaliki the state capital and taken to a river where he was shot and thrown into the river. He however survived the incident.

    A source close to the family said  the assassins used black Highlander Jeep that has no bumber in the front.

    “It was neighbourhood Security Watch members that saw the jeep the way it was packed and suspected the jeep because it was open and the four doors were opened”.

    “Three ATM cards, jellof rice and foot wear were found in the jeep. It was the Neighbourhood watch members that called policemen who later came to the scene”.

    It was also gathered that following his return, the businessman was rushed to the hospital for emergency medical treatment.

    “Doctors were able to extract bullets from the spinal cord region of his body. He is responding to treatment”, added the source who pleaded not to be named.

    Police spokesman, ASP Loveth Odah confirmed the kidnap and arrest of suspects.

    She disclosed that four persons have been arrested in connection to the incident.

    Read Also: Ebonyi APC suspends acting chairman

    Odah added that the hoodlums stole N9million belonging to the victim, adding that investigation into the matter was still ongoing.

    Governor Umahi during a media chat at government House Abakaliki also confirmed the incident.

    The governor who has previously refused to sign death warrants of convicted criminals in the state promised to do so this time.

    “There was a kidnap and robbery incident that happened in the state and it was carried out by a set of hoodlums assigned to this state by their gang. They have been doing it and escaping but today, both their ring leader and four others were tracked from far away Onitsha, Anambra state.

    “The owner of Monablis hotel was kidnapped and robbed and taken to a rivers through Enugu state. He was shot and pushed into the river but miraculously he survived and came back”.

    “Through our intelligence network, the Neighbourhood Security Watch, police, SSS brought himback to the state and I have already dedicated my red biro. As soon as there (the suspects) are convicted, that will be the first death sentence I will sign”, Umahi said.

     

  • 2019: Umahi throws Ebonyi House of Assembly contests open

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that his administration and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would favour no candidate during the 2019 general elections’ for House of Assembly.

    Umahi made the assertion on Monday at Ezillo, Ishiellu Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebony during a solidarity rally in his honour.

    The governor had earlier at several fora, canvassed for the re-election of all the House members.

    Umahi, however, noted that the only exceptions were the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker with all the contestants required to organise rallies in their constituencies to test their popularities.

    “We are appealing to the ‘divine mandate’ his (political structure) for peaceful primaries because we are not going to stop anybody from contesting.

    “Continuity will, however, benefit Ebonyi people but we are not going to impose unpopular candidates on the people during the elections.

    Read Also: Ebonyi Assembly Chief Whip arraigned for alleged certificate forgery

    “I will attend the rallies you are going to organise individually because it is not only the delegates that will elect you during the primaries,’’ he said.

    Umahi said that his vote during the election would be tied to those of the House of Assembly contestants and the masses needed not to be disfranchised in the process.

    “We will support any contestant that mobilises the greatest number of people because I don’t want to take risks during the election.

    “You should therefore, go back to the field and mobilise the people and not go to sleep because the governor has endorsed you,’’ he said.

    He said the elders of the state would sit and decide on the National Assembly positions to avoid possible crises.

    “We will not allow the other parties to benefit from our situation but ensure that all matters concerning the positions are resolved amicably without rancour.

    “I thank the people of Ishiellu for the reception and commend them for maintaining the peace we instituted in the area, especially at the Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo communities,’’ he said.

    Chief Austin Umahi, the PDP South-East Zonal Vice-Chairman, commended the people for supporting the governor and urged them to massively vote for him in the 2019 elections.

    Umahi, who is the governor’s elder brother, noted that the best support for the governor was for the people to massively register in the ongoing voters registration exercise.

    “Ebonyi is a PDP state as other political parties exist on the pages of newspapers, magazines and the social media,’’ he said.

    Chief Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the PDP Chairman in Ebonyi, also assured that the party would not endorse any candidate but allow all contestants to freely pursue their ambitions.

    Mr Henry Eze, Chairman of the council, said the reception was to thank the governor for his numerous favours to the people in areas of infrastructure, empowerment and political appointments among others.

    Stakeholders pledged their solidarity to the governor as he was given the chieftaincy title of “Achinagbara Oha’’ meaning the seed that spreads to all by the council’s traditional rulers.

    NAN

     

  • Guber aspirant accuses Oyegun, NWC of manipulating ward congress

    A governorship aspirant in Ebonyi state under the All Progressive Congress, APC, Dr Adol Awam Chris on Wednesday said no ward Congress have so far been held in his Ebonyi Local Government Area.

    Mr Awam also raised alarm of plans by some members of the state Working Committee of the party of trying to stage a kangaroo congress in his local government.

    He accused some SWC members of working in conjunction with the John Oyegun led National Working Committee to write fake results and submit same to the National office so as fix delegates who will vote for them at the party’s state and national conventions in a desperate bid to retain their positions.

    This is even as a member of the party Achi Simeon was attacked by some members of another faction of the party on his way to Mr Awam’s meeting.

    Last Saturday’s local government ward congress in Ebonyi was marred with irregularities as two separate factions allegedly held parallel congress in the state.

    The  Eze Nwachukwu led faction which enjoys the support of Oyegun and the NWC had opted for harmonisation among party stakeholders so as to remove rancour and controver.

    However, Mr Nwachukwu on Saturday night confirmed that four local governments including Ebonyi could not harmonise adding that a new date will be fixed for the conduct of the congress for them.

    Also, the Congress committee Chairman had said any local government that fails to harmonise, a new date will be announced for the conduct of their own ward congress.

    “But, yesterday without announcing it or informing us, some members of the party came and said they were coming to conduct congress”, Mr Awam told reporters at the Ugwuachara Primary School.

    He was there to brief his constituents on the latest situation in the party with regards to the ward congress.

    “There was nothing like congress in Ebonyi local government area whether on Saturday, Sunday or even today.  If anybody presents any result at the party secretariat whether in the state or at the national headquarters then it is a doctored result”.

    “On Saturday, the Committee sent to conduct congress said we should harmonise but we were not able to harmonise till now. But we got information from someone that our congress will hold today. But the Chairman did not inform me of this. I called INEC and they said they are not aware”.

    “They said they got later from the party today notifying them of the inability of pour local government to conduct the election. They further told me that we have to give them at least 7 days in line with the electoral law to come and conduct the election”.

    “So how will they conduct the congress for our local government without INEC or Police presence?”, Awa said.

    While calling on the state chapter of the party to allow internal democracy in the party if the party must defeat the ruling People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Mr Awam accused the National Working Committee of the party of orchestrating the crisis, violence and irregularities that characterized the exercises in many states of the federation to remain in power.

    According to him, declaring harmonization in the congresses of the party without going to the field to enable members of the party to freely elect their leaders was undemocratic and unconstitutional

    “We came from the ACN that formed this our great party, APC but the manipulation in the congress shows that they want to completely remove the ACN family from the APC  in the scheme of things as far as Ebonyi state is concerned and we will not agree, I will take it up with to any level they want it”, he said.

    Awam who was a former Chairman of the local government accused a faction of the party in the state of imposing harmonization in the congresses to sideline some leaders of the party and called for what he  described as ‘real congress’ in Ebonyi local government area.

    “As far as Ebonyi local government is concerned, there was no ward congress. A faction of the party cooked result and said congress has been conducted. I have already written to appeal panel and I will follow my petition to ensure that justice is done.

    “I also wrote to the state Chairman of the party and he acknowledged the petition. I drew his mind to the electoral act which states that since the congress did not hold on the announced date, they have to give at least seven days before another one can hold and up till now, he has not told me there would be congress in my local government”, he stated.

    Mr Nwachukwu did not take numerous calls placed to his phone. He also did not reply messages sent to him at press time.

    Also Mr Bolaji Abdulahi, National Publicity Secretary of the party could equally not be reached for comments.

    Meanwhile, Mr Simeon Achi narrated how he was attacked at Udensi roundabout for no other reason than he was supporting Mr Awam.

    Mr Achi who said he was attacked near Udensi roundabout by three men sustained injuries on his face and hand from the attack.

    “I was in a bus coming to this place from town. As we got to Udensi roundabout, someone wanted to drop so I came down to enable the person to alight from the bus. Then these three young men who were in the bus came down and started beating. They told me that they are attacking me because I was supporting Adol Awam. I don’t know their names but I know them by face, they are members of another faction of our party”, the victim said.

  • Umahi signs VAPP into law

    Ebonyi State now has the Violence Against Persons Prohibition ( VAPP ) law. Governor Dave Umahi gave his assent on Monday, at a ceremony at the Executive Council chambers in Abakaliki. The ceremony was attended by his wife, Rachael and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.

    The Speaker, Mr Francis Nwifuru said the law forbids violence against persons, prohibits Female Genital Mutilation ( FGM ) and  protects women against  all manners of violence, including wife battering.

    “The implementation of this law will enable the protection of women and give confidence to women.

    Governor Umahi ordered that copies of the law be distributed to presidents of town unions, local government chairmen and  councillors to help in propagating it in their areas.

    Umahi commended the Speaker and the legislators for making the law. He also commended his wife, Rachael and her team for fighting for the cause of women in the state.

    “Some states have passed VAPP into law to protect rights of Women. Women should know that they are striving to be accorded respect and must shoulder responsibility,” he said.

    Read Also: Umahi orders arrest of policeman over killing of Okada rider

    Mrs Umahi said her pet project; Family Succour and Upliftment Foundation would be launched, along with foreign partners, to enhance development of women.

    “VAPP law will prohibit FGM, rape, abandonment of dependants, child labour, stalking, spouses battering and others.

    “It will be a privilege for women to know who they are with the law backing them,” she said.

    The Chairman, International Federation of Women Lawyers ( FIDA ) Ebonyi chapter and Deputy Head of Chambers, Ms Olivia Okpaleke noted that the law covers all manner of violence against women in the state.

    Okpaleke explained that it was a crime not to report rape cases, adding that anyone found in the act would be prosecuted.

    “This will go long way in addressing all forms of violence against women  in the state, ” Okpaleke said.

    NAN

  • Policeman injured during clash with motorcyclists, dies after surgery

    One of the Police officers who was injured in the clash with motorcyclists last week in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has died from the injuries he sustained during the clash.

    Governor of the state, David Umahi confirmed the death of the Police officer whose name could not be ascertained at press time.

    A motorcyclist, Mr. Ofim Ejike was shot along the popular Waterworks road in Abakaliki last week Wednesday by a trigger happy police Sergeant, Onyebuchi Nweke attached to the Anti-kidnapping squad of the command.

    The policeman has since been tried in his Department, Anti-Kidnapping, AK, and summarily dismissed from the force.

    The Police also said they will also arraign him in court for murder at the end of their investigations.

    Motorcyclists in the city had staged a protest the next day following the killing of Mr Ofim, which later degenerated into a clash with the Police, despite the arrest and dismissal of the officer by the Police.

    During the clash, some police officers sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

    Speaking during an enlarged State Security Council meeting in Abakakaliki on Monday, Mr Umahi regretted the death of the Police officer.

    He said about 7 Police officers sustained various degrees of injuries when the protesters pelted them with stones.

    “One of them sustained a serious injury on his head and was rushed to Enugu where he was operated upon but unfortunately he died”, Umahi said.

    He commended the Police in the state for handling the matter in a professional manner even as he promised to assist in the burial of the late Police officer.