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Tag: Umahi

  • DSS arraigns Umahi’s aide, two others for N3.6bn attempted fraud

    The Department of State Services on Thursday arraigned three suspects for attempting to defraud the Ebonyi State Government of the sum of N3.6 billion (USD10,000,000.00).

    One of the suspects, Precious Orji Nnachi, was a Technical Assistant to Governor David Umahi.

    The trio alleged approached Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State in December 2019 claiming they were representatives of a foreign company and had $125 million to give to the State Government.

    They allegedly told the Governor that the condition for the smooth receipt of the grant was if there was up to $10 million in the State Government’s United Bank for Africa account.

    According to Umahi, while relaying his experience with the suspects, “Something played out today. Some group of people in the past two months said they have $125 million to give us. I told my Commissioner for Finance that it doesn’t sound real. I know immediately that it was a scam but my commissioner for finance continued pushing innocently.

    “Because of his belief that it is real, I told him to go ahead. They said they were investors and that they have money to give to us free of charge. They said we should bring $125 million US dollars. And out of the money, they will only take $25 million dollars to develop our place while the remaining $100million US dollars will be our own.

    “I said what is my own. They can even take 50% if they want and give us even 1million dollars since it is a grant. I told them that, if this money is a flush money, Ebonyi State Government will not be held responsible. The journey began. They said that we should show evidence of $10 million dollars in our account.”

    The suspects, whose names were given as Precious Orji Nnachi, Obinna Agummuo and Chuks Ajunwa, allegedly committed the offence at Umunaga village, Uburu community, in the Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, on December 30, 2019.

    They were arraigned on Thursday, at the Magistrate’s Court on six counts bothering on felony, attempt to defraud, amongst others.

    The Service’s Prosecutor, C.P. Njoku, told the court that the offense was punishable under sections 516A (a), 509 and 484 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1 Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

    The charge read in part, ” That you Precious Orji Nnachi, Obinna Agummuo and Chuks Ajunwa, on the 30th day of December, 2019, at Umunaga Uburu in the Ohaozara Local Government Area, under the jurisdiction of Abakaliki Magisterial District, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Attempt to defraud and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 516A (a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State, of Nigeria, 2009.

    “That you Precious Orji Nnachi, Obinna Agummuo and Chuks Ajunwa, on the 30th day of December, 2019, at Umunaga Uburu in the Ohaozara LGA, under Abakaliki Magisterial District attempted to defraud the Government of Ebonyi State of the sum of Ten Million Dollars (USD10,000,000.00), amounting to Three Billion Six Hundred Million Naira (N3,600,000,000.00) through a claim which you had no intention or capacity to effect and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 509 of the Criminal Code Cap. 33., Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

    “That you Precious Orji Nnachi, being a Technical Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State, on the 30th day of December 2019, at Umunaga Uburu, in the Ohaozara LGA, under Abakaliki Magisterial District, corruptly attempted to obtain from the Government of Ebonyi State of the sum of Twenty Five Million Dollars (USD25,000,000.00), as a reward and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 494 (1)(a) of the Criminal Code Cap. 33, Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”

    The Chief Magistrate, Nnanna Onuoha, granted the accused persons bail in the sum of N500 million each, with three sureties in like sum.

    According to her, the sureties must have properties worth N500 million and must present Certificate-of-Occupancy of the said properties, to the court.

    The matter was adjourned till February 5, 2020, for hearing.

  • PDP Gov Umahi clears air on ‘100% membership of APC’ comment

    Embarrassed by reports of double dealing with both the PDP and APC, Ebonyi State governor Dave Umahi has issued a disclaimer.

    Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Uchenna Orji said the report was untrue, mischievous and misleading.

    He said the Governor only cautioned those in the habit of defecting from one political to another to also know that he has friends and goodwill across political divides.

    He also said that those who hide under partisan politics to peddle lies against the State government should know that even the APC members know the giant strides and virtues of his administration.

    Orji added that the Governor’s style of governance was that of inclusive politics where partisan politics comes and goes but national interest and patriotism were the uncompromising.

    “In their desperate attempt to cause disaffection against the State Government, they mischievously misrepresented the Governor as saying: ‘I am the only Governor that belongs to PDP and APC.

    “This blackmail is nothing but a cheap and childish fabrication that is irritably displeasing to the sensibilities of the ordinary man.

    “It is a common sense that no one party member in Nigeria can belong to another political party at a time.

    “The Governor never said that he belongs to APC. He is unshakably a PDP chieftain and has been a great party man, whose track records as historic State Party Chairman and currently PDP Governor and leader in Ebonyi State are known and admired by people of good will.”

    The commissioner added: “He only said that those who are in the habit of hiding under partisan politics to peddle lies against the State Government were on a frolic of their own as people of different political colorations including APC know the virtues of his administration.

    “It must be noted that the Governor’s style of governance is that of inclusive politics where partisan politics comes and goes but National interest and patriotism are the uncompromising principles of his administration”.

    “The essence of this disclaimer is to put the records straight for the information and right knowledge of the members of the public.”

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also debunked the report as a blatant falsehood.

    The Chairman of the party in Ebonyi State, Mr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi, in a statement on Tuesday, dismissed the claim, saying Umahi is still a bonafide member of the party.

    He said the governor does not get involved in anti-party activities.

    “The story is a blatant falsehood aimed at tarnishing the image of the governor and as well derailing him from his focus,” he said.

    Governor Umahi, elected on the platform of the PDP, was quoted to have told a delegation that paid him a Yuletide Homage he is the only person that can engage in anti-party activities and nothing will happen.

  • I am 100% APC, Serving PDP governor boasts

    I am 100% APC, Serving PDP governor boasts

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has lashed Peoples Democracy Party (PDP) members planning defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying he is “100 per cent APC.”

    Umahi, who spoke when the people of Ishielu and Onicha Local Government Areas paid him Christmas homage, enjoined such people to stop” jumping from here and there” because they might be caught in anti-party activity web.

    He said: “Stay in one place. Don’t run from here to there and from there to here. E no make sense. If you say you dey there (APC), know I am already there. If you go to APC, I am an APC member. If you go to PDP, I am there.

    “I am the only person that does anti-party and nothing will happen. Any other person that does anti-party is gone. So, I am representing you in APC while you all stay in PDP. If you like, go and write it on social media.

    The governor’s younger brother and PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-East), Austin Umahi, joined members of the delegation in clapping and laughing at the event which held in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area.

    The governor buttressed his claim to being an APC member by saying that he sent handsome Yuletide gifts to the ruling party’s leaders.

    The governor thanked the Muhammadu Buhari administration for making Ebonyi the only state in the Southeast to be listed among the states to have a new Federal Colleges of Education.

    He told the people of Ishielu local government that the college would notbe located in their zone. He, however, promised them a technical school.

    Meanwhile, candidate of the APC in the last governorship election in Ebonyi State, Sonni Ogbuoji , said last year that Umahi was set to dump the PDP for APC.

    “The information we have now is that while the governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, had acted as a mole in PDP all along, he has started making moves to ditch PDP and cross over to the APC,” Ogbuoji claimed.

    “We are aware that the votes that enthroned Umahi were procured with the connivance of the system, a reason there are gloomy faces all over the state after the announcement of the claimed victory,” he added.

  • Ebonyi 2023: Umahi vows to oppose older candidates

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi on Monday said he will not allow an older Politician to succeed him in 2023.

    He spoke in Uburu, his country home while addressing members of the State Executive Council who paid him a Christmas Homage.

    They were led by the Deputy Governor, Kelechi Igwe.

    The Governor said his successor will never be older than him as there are several benefits of having a young and vibrant person as the Governor.

    “I will not support anyone that is older than me for Governor come 2023. We need someone that is energetic and ready to lead with every commitment.”

    “I will not engage in 2023 politics now, I can only talk politics a year to the end of my tenure not now. We are more concerned to developing the state and cannot be distracted by desperate people who are hungry for power and not for the betterment of the people”.

    The Governor , however, said he is at the moment preoccupied with the development of Ebonyi State and hence is not bothered with 2023 political permutations at the moment.

    He noted that he cannot be distracted by desperate people who are hungry for power and not for the betterment of the people.

    Governor Umahi while thanking the members for the support they have been giving to him urged them to work in unity in 2020 as no every good work comes without a reward.

    He added that in 2020, every Council member must present one person for business empowerment.

    Earlier, Mr Igwe told the Governor that they were in Uburu to thank the Governor for his unflinching support towards them and his ability to transform the state in a short period of time.

    The Council members prayed the Governor not to relent in his avowed commitment in ensuring that Ebonyi became one of the top developing states it has become under his watch.

  • Umahi orders immediate closure of hospital over Lassa fever outbreak

    Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi has ordered the immediate closure of St. Vincent Hospital at Igbagu in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi following a suspected outbreak of Lassa fever at the hospital.

    The order is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Abakaliki by Mr Francis Nwaze, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media.

    Umahi also said that all the staff and patients of the hospital should submit themselves to the Virology Centre at Abakaliki for comprehensive medical examinations.

    The governor also said that all the family members and close relatives of the patients and staff of St. Vincent Hospital be quarantined at the South-East Virology Centre, for close medical observation.

    Umahi assured the residents that the state government through its Ministry of Health would contain the spread of the disease and urged the public not to panic.

    The statement read in part: “Gov. Dave Umahi has directed that the Ministry of Health under the watch of Dr Daniel Umezurike, Commissioner for Health, in conjunction with the staff of Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, to immediately address all issues relating to the Lassa fever outbreak.

    “The engagement should include a comprehensive examination of all suspects and the clean-up of St. Vincent Hospital.

    “It should also include the placement of precautionary announcements in all media houses in the state on the preventive measures of Lassa fever.’’

    The statement said that the governor also directed that progress reports on the above directives should be reaching him every two hours.

  • PDP raises alarm over alleged raid of Gov Umahi’s Abuja residence

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the invasion of the Abuja residence of Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, reportedly by security operatives said to have been detailed by top authorities.

    The party, in a statement issued by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary, described the invasion as felonious, a direct attack on democratic order and vicious violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which could not be justified under any guise.

    “The PDP holds that the development is a provocative assault on the sensibility, integrity and constitutional freedom of not only the people of Ebonyi state, but also the Forum of Governors and millions of PDP members and supporters across the country.

    “Our party notes that this invasion, which has the same paw prints of an earlier attack on the residence of Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state, leaves no one in doubt of a deliberate assault targeted at outspoken opposition leaders, including PDP governors.

    “The PDP is particularly vexed by the stance of our security agencies, particularly their failure to wade into the matter with the seriousness it deserves and bring the culprits and masterminds to book. This situation has heightened public suspicions of high-level conspiracy as well as swelled apprehensions over the safety of the lives of the governor and members of his family,” the party said.

    According to PDP “Our party therefore charges the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to immediately apprehend those behind the invasion as well as beef up security around the governor and his family members.

    “The PDP however charges Governor Umahi and other leaders elected on the platform of the party to remain undeterred in their commitment to development, justice and the wellbeing of the people, despite the unwarranted assaults.”

  • Gov Umahi opens up on 2023 Presidential ambition

    Governor David Umahi has dissociated himself from the purported inauguration of a campaign platform known as ‘Southeast for President 2023’.

    He described the inauguration of the group on Tuesday in Abakaliki, the state capital as a distraction.

    Umahi in a statement by his chief press secretary, Emmanuel Uzor dissociated himself and his Government from any form of political gathering with intent to promote him for President in 2023.

    He said he is more committed to delivering quality and purposeful leadership to the people of Ebonyi State.

    Uzor said that promoters of his purported 2023 Presidential ambition did not have his support and therefore should not link him with any election that is four years ahead.

    “The Governor was greatly embarrassed by the link to Presidential ambition of 2023 being circulated in various social media platforms and wishes to state that he will not be distracted by the various endorsements by groups and individuals who clamour for Nigeria President of Igbo extraction”, Mr Uzor said.

    “Governor Umahi does not know the promoters of the platform and could not have contracted them to do the job but believes that any genuine and law abiding Nigerians reserve the right to go about their business as long as it doesn’t not impinge on laid down rules of the country “

    The statement further quoted the governor as having dismissed the insinuation of his Presidential ambition.

    “2023 is still very far ahead of us. I am the Governor of Ebonyi State and a second term Governor for that matter by the grace of God, I put all my energy and concentration to serve my people as Governor and deliver on my Campaign promises. I am not looking at where I will be tomorrow. Allow God to determine my next political fate but don’t distract me with Presidential ambition of 2023 now in 2019, its ridiculous”

    “Let me say again, as a Nigerian and Igbo man and in my capacity as the Chairman of South East Governors Forum, I am not against the idea or agitation for Nigeria President of Igbo extraction but linking me to it at this time is mostly embarrassing, distracting and premature and I beg to be left out of it,” Umahi said.

  • Halt implementation of operation ‘Puff Adder’ in Ebonyi, Umahi tells IG

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (I-G) Mohammed Adamu to suspend the implementation of operation ‘Puff Adder’ security exercise in the state.

    Umahi made the appeal on Tuesday when the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 6, Musa Kimo paid him a courtesy call.

    The governor noted that the warring communities in Ikwo and Abakaliki Local Government Area (LGA) were peaceful presently.

    According to him, the government will inform the police authorities whether the exercise was still needed in the state and appealed for one week to determine such.

    “I asked both communities to give me a summation on how permanent peace will be restored and I can guarantee that there would be permanent peace in the communities.

    “I urged leaders of both communities to call their warring youths to order and when this is not done, we would collectively execute the operation.

    “We will shock the places by using police, army and other security apparatus to ensure the safety of defenceless young people and women in the communities,” he said.

    He, therefore, urged the I-G to suspend the implementation of the operation in the state as he had warned both communities’ leaders of the impending use of force to ensure peace in the areas.

    “They have done what I asked them to do and the state commissioner of police can testify that there has been no single gunshot in those communities since.

    “However, I thank the I-G for his quick response to the issue as the leaders have the capacity to tame the excesses of their armed youths though they are protecting the communities from external aggression.

    “Help us tell the Cross River Governor to suspend the political office holders from their own side of the conflict as I have done, to make them work assiduously towards lasting peace,” he said.

    Kimo in his response thanked the governor for the reception and pledged to ensure absolute peace in all communities of Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River; states under his watch.

    “I have heard from the governor and will relay the message to the I-G as the governor is the chief security officer of the state.

    “I appreciate and commend him for his stern position towards security issues as he has always and is still working with us to ensure security.

    “We would, however, continue doing our best in a professional manner and our intention is to use the Puff Adder operation to declare criminals – persona non grata in the state,” he said.

    The police chief noted that some arrests have been made by the police in connection to the killing of a Fulani indigene in Izzi LGA and the killing and burning of five members of a family in the crisis between Enyibichiri community of Ikwo and Enyigba community of Abakaliki LGA.

    The News Agency of Nigeia (NAN) reports that leaders of the warring communities signed a peace accord before the governor as the government revoked the disputed land and shared it among them. (NAN)

  • Umahi suspends more top government officials over communal crisis

    Umahi suspends more top government officials over communal crisis

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Friday suspended the Auditor-General of the state, Mr Innocent Nwida from office over the latest communal crisis in the state.

    The governor also suspended other elected and appointed office holders from Igbeagu Community in the Izzi Local Government Area of the state because of the crisis.

    On April 9, Umahi suspended the chairmen of Ikwo and Abakaliki Local Government Councils and all elected and appointed office holders from Enyibichiri in Ikwo and Enyigba in Abakaliki over a communal clash.

    Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Commissioner for Border, Peace and Internal Security, announced the suspension of the officials while addressing newsmen after the governor’s meeting with people from Igbeagu Community, involved in a boundary dispute with Ukele community in Cross River.

    Ugbala noted that the suspension, which took immediate effect would elapse when peace returned to the communities.

    “The affected persons include the Auditor-General of the state, Mr Innocent Nwida, Mr Cletus Nwakpu, Project Coordinator of the FADAMA 3 programme and His Royal Highness, Ogbonnaya Ukwa, among other political office holders.

    “The issue of whether the governor has the constitutional right to suspend the elected officers does not arise because they are constitutionally mandated to protect the lives and property of their people.

    “However, when an elected officer fails to perform this function, he has violated the constitution and should either resign, be suspended or charged to court.

    “The courts would interpret such issues further and we are expecting such situations with this decision taken,” Ugbala said.

    The commissioner berated the National Boundary Commission (NBC) for its inability to permanently resolve the bound disputes, including others in several parts of the state.

    “We sometimes doubt the sincerity of the Federal Government in settling such crisis and view the NBC as a toothless bulldog.

    “It has made several visits to the disputed areas even before the inception of the present administration but no decision has been made.

    “It is not our duty to demarcate the boundaries and the state government has attended all meetings convened by the NBC, being always disposed to peace.

    “We urge the commission to live up to its responsibilities because no land is worth the lives of the citizens.

    “The commission only makes ‘urban carol’ visits to the areas whenever there are clashes and we urge the media to mandate it to perform its duties.”

    The commissioner noted that Umahi would visit the affected areas on Saturday to assess the extent of damage and find a permanent solution to the crisis.

    “Stakeholders from the areas are enjoined to enlighten their people on ways of ensuring peace as the government will also look into issues concerning internally displaced persons,” he said.

  • Umahi suspends two LG chairmen over communal clashes in Ebonyi

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Tuesday suspended the Chairmen of Ikwo and Abakaliki Local Government Areas over the resurgence of communal crisis in the areas last week.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the affected chairmen included: Mr Emmanuel Nwangele of Abakaliki and Chief John Nnabo of Ikwo LGA.

    Dr Hyginus Nwokwu, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), told newsmen after the governor’s meeting with stakeholders of both councils, that the suspension was with immediate effect.

    “The governor is not happy that both chairmen did not demonstrate capacity to ensure security in both councils which they are constitutionally bound to protect.

    “The governor also suspended all political office holders from communities in both councils—Enyibichiri, Noyo Echilaike from Ikwo and Edda, Enyigba communities from Abakaliki LGA.

    “The suspension will lapse only when lasting peace returns to the areas as the suspended chairmen are directed to handover to their vice-chairmen,” he said.

    Nwokwu added that civil servants from both councils who directly or indirectly financed the perpetrators of the clashes were also suspended.

    “This will ensure that they are financially incapacitated to sponsor such aggression as the sanctity of live supersedes all political considerations,” he said.

    He disclosed that the governor also directed stakeholders from Abakaliki LGA to unearth the hoodlums who killed and set fire on a bus conveying Ikwo indigenes along the Alex Ekwueme Federal Univeristy, Ndufu Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) road, within one week.

    “These people were unfortunately burnt beyond recognition and they involved six members of the same family including a three-month old baby.

    “The government will be forced to hunt the perpetrators if the stakeholders fail to produce them within such period and the situation will not be palatable to anybody.

    “The government hereby assures the citizens especially indigenes of the affected communities, students and staff of FUNAI, that security agencies have been mandated to provide adequate security in the areas,” the SSG said.

    In his comments, Dr Kenneth Ugbala, the Commissioner for Border, Peace and Internal Security disclosed that 33 political appointees were suspended in Ikwo LGA and 18 in Abakaliki LGA.

    “The governor suspended the chairmen because they failed in their constitutional duty of protecting the people, so the issue of whether he has the constitutional right to do so does not arise.

    “The councilors who are also elected were also suspended and we should realise that only the living can talk,” he said.

    Umahi in his earlier remark before the meeting, threatened to suspend the chairmen of Ohaukwu LGA of the state for failing to ensure the people’s security in the wake of its land dispute with the people of Agila in Benue.

    He also bemoaned the spate of attacks which led to several deaths within a fortnight at Ikwo, Abakaliki, Amasiri community of Afikpo North LGA and Onicha Igboeze in Onicha LGA of Ebonyi.