Group Asks EFCC, ICPC To Probe Imo Government’s Spending

A political group, The Mazi Organisation (TMO), has called for the probe of Imo State finances, alleging that they are being diverted.

TMO spokesperson, Cajethan Duke, made the call at a press briefing in Owerri, the state capital yesterday where he called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Police to immediately conduct forensic investigation into the financial dealings of the state under Governor Hope Uzodimma.

TMO alleged that Imo State funds under Governor Uzodimma watch had been diverted. The group listed the funds to include local government allocations, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) funds, ecological funds, and several other monies.

Meanwhile, efforts to speak with the Imo State Commissioner for Information, Hon Declan Emelumba proved abortive as he did not respond to messages nor the calls put across to him.

Duke said there was nothing to show for the over ₦330billion received by the Uzodimma administration.

Duke said “if Imo State government disputes Dr. Amadi’s revelations, we challenge them, again, to publish detailed audited reports of FAAC receipts and expenditures, backed by empirical data. Let them show what was done with over N330 billion received on behalf of the LGAs and prove the existence of projects on ground. Silence, propaganda and character assassination cannot wash away facts.

“EFCC, ICPC, and the Nigerian Police must immediately commence forensic investigations into the Hope Uzodinma administration, particularly into the disappearance of local government allocations, UBEC funds, ecological funds, WASH and USAID intervention funds. These monies, meant for development, have grown wings and vanished into – only Uzodinma knows where – while Imo people wallow in poverty.

“The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice must ensure that accountability processes are not stalled. Governor Hope Uzodinma must NOT escape justice for the monumental looting and reckless mismanagement of public resources.

“We demand that the Imo State House of Assembly publishes the details of all the loan requests it has approved for this administration. The Assembly must rise in defence and solidarity with the people of Imo State at this very critical time in our history.

“The EFCC and ICPC should probe all the loans – approved and unapproved – that have been received by the Hope Uzodinma administration”.

Duke said Uzodimma was using a group, Greater Imo Initiative (GII) as a special purpose vehicle group to hound individuals and groups who held opposing views on issues of governance to Uzodimma’s.

According to him, Dr Amadi was been hounded by Uzodimma because of his support for President Bola Tinubu to demand the release of local government funds to the local government areas, saying that available records showed that, for almost six years, Governor Hope Uzodinma had diverted the funds, while the 27 local government areas were in rot.

Duke alleged that members of the TMO had been inundated with threats from faceless people loyal to Uzodimma.

He said “importantly, we wish to use this medium to appeal to the federal government and security agencies to be vigilant on the activities of Imo State government. Governor Uzodinma’s obsession with the security details attached to Dr. Amadi confirms fears of a sinister plot”, Duke said.

Further, he said the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) is a special purpose vehicle group created to hound individuals and groups who held opposing views on issues of governance to Uzodimma’s, saying they were assembled by the “panic-stricken Uzodimma government”.

Duke disclosed that rather than use GII to accuse Amadi of Naira abuse, the EFCC should also investigate Uzodimma over “the Calabar dredging scandal – a $12 million contract fraud through his company, investigated by the Obla panel, dud cheque case: A ₦200 million dishonoured cheque, referred to the EFCC, and non-declaration of assets filed by the FG before the Recovery of Public Property panel”.