The Thieving Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly (II) – By Kenneth Uwadi

Posted by admin Articles, Columnists, Imo, Kenneth Uwadi, NNP Columnists, State News Sunday, March 16th, 2014

By Kenneth Uwadi | Imo State, Nigeria | March 16, 2014 – I totally condemn the March 8th invasion of my residence in Egbema of Imo State by armed uniformed police officers at the behest of the leadership of the Imo State House of Assembly. The invaders stormed my place in a crude military-like assault asking for me and ransacking my place.

My residence was invaded by policemen on the excuse that I wrote articles alleging that the Speaker of the Imo House of Assembly Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu looted Imo tax payers monies and that I was planning a mass protest to call for his resignation. I say so because Emeka Ahaneku, the Speaker’s media aide has severally boasted that I will be arrested soon. This highhanded action of Uwajumogu which is reminiscent of the military absolutism, has further rubbished him and exposed him as a military dictator in civilian clothing. It is also indicative of his nature of unleashing terror on any divergent view or action against his impunity in the Imo House of Assembly.

Interestingly, the invasion of my home is coming this period that the Freedom of Information bill is in place as part of President Jonathan’s respect for free speech and wider democratic rights. I call on the Imo State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to condemn this act of brigandage . I also call on Labour Unions , socialist and pro-masses’ organizations not to take this assault on the cardinal principle of constitutional governance lightly because of its implication on larger polity. Lest we forget, the last military dispensation was characterized by arrest of the opponents of the military rule.

I wish to make it clear that I cannot be intimidated to stop speaking out as a Nigerian citizen. I will continue to demand for accountability, civility and good governance in Imo State. I will continue to speak out against corruption any time , any day . My fight against corruption did not start with the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly and it will not end with him .

Harassing me for demanding for a probe panel to look into the corruption allegations against the Speaker violates Nigerian constitution and international norms on freedom of expression.1999 Nigerian constitution in section 24 stated that the duty of every citizen is to make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he resides.The right to freedom of expression is recognized as a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and recognized in international human rights law in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

I will not be intimidated. It is part of my dream to see Imo State’s public space rid of charlatans, usurpers, pretenders and legisla- thieves like Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu.Recall that two Months ago Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha forced open the can of worms of corruption in the Imo House of Assembly, the legislative seat of power in Owerri. The newspapers were awash with shocking revelations of how Hon Benjamin Uwajumogu the Speaker of the house looted public resources to fund his private concerns and to satisfy his greed and that of his friends, relations and even concubines, and awarded inflated road contracts to himself and his cronies.

For instance Uwajumogu whose leadership deficiencies have reduced the Imo House of Assembly to a zombie and rubber stamp status literally abandoned his law making duties and switched over to awarding road contracts from where he diverted public monies through his proxies and used the monies to acquire several properties in Nigeria such as : N500 million naira Asphalt plant along Onitsha road Owerri,15 mansions along Chief Ben Uwajumogu Street in Federal Housing Estate Umuguma Owerri – West LGA, Jasmine Hotels and Suites behind Imo Concorde Hotel valued at over N70 million, over 200 plots of land located in Owerri West LGA,N400million naira Mansion at Ihitte /Uboma,2 other mansions at Ihitte/Uboma,Mansions in Aba and Umuahia, N760 million naira Crush Rock Industry in Ebonyi State,N500 million naira private hotel in Abuja,N750 million naira private hotel in Lagos. Even the Imo State liason office in Abuja was sold to him for N70 million naira which he has since converted to his private hotel.

The shocking revelation of Iwuoha about the Impunity of the Speaker and my calling on him to resign did not go down well with him hence the invasion of my home by policemen . The continual keeping mute by the Members of the Imo House of Assembly over the Speakers fraud and monumental corruption is unacceptable to us. And that goes a long way to describe the kind of government we are running in the Imo House. Stealing in the House has moved from millions to billions of naira and our House Members don’t give a damn!

Mr. Assembly Members, You must give a damn!. We sent you to the Imo House to represent our interest. The Members of Imo House of Assembly must reverse their stand on this Uwajumogu fraud issue and constitute a probe panel to investigate the Almighty Speaker .The House fought corruption when it involved the former deputy governor of the state ,the house must look into the allegations against Uwajumogu now.This is the chance to take the high road of openness, transparency and public probity, so that at least we get the sense that the legislatures are not just paying lip service to the urgent need to fight corruption in public office in this state. In other words, the members of the Imo House of Assembly should give a damn about the stinking odour coming out of Uwajumogu’s office.

One man is looting over 3 billion naira in a state where so many able-bodied youths have turned beggars due to unemployment. How can we keep silent to this capitalist looting of our monies in a state where petty street hawkers of underwear, socks, rubber heels, corsets, silverware, and other ancient objects appeared like a rash over the face of our towns and cities. How can we keep silent to this capitalist looting when so many of our graduates at all levels in the State and across disciplines drive danfos, molues, and keke for a niggardly amount. Others settle for the “Area Boys” specialties and dark alley businesses of assorted brands. How can we keep silent to this capitalist looting when our unemployed youths in the thousands have become a wild and homeless lot and socially disinherited.

How can we keep silent to this capitalist looting when so many of our elderly are hungry. They depend on public charity and their good samaritan neighbors for food and for a place to sleep. How can we keep silent to this capitalist looting when days of somber discouragement follow our pensioners. Some have died in penury, of hunger and disease. So many of them live a vagabond, lonely, and perilous lives. Once Imo State starts on the slippery slope of legalized looting , nothing can hold back. At every turn, our state will be forced to advance, sliding further into the abyss of shame.Let us probe Uwajumogu now.

-Kenneth Uwadi, Mmahu-Egbema, Imo State, Nigeriawp_posts