Five Council Chairmen in Enugu State are in police net over allegations of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds for political patronages.
It was gathered that their arrest followed a petition to the Inspector-General of Police by the Enugu West Peoples Forum entitled "Looting and Fraudulent Diversion of Public Funds by Local Government Chairmen in Enugu State."
Also, about 10 Commissioners from Enugu State are currently in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), in Abuja, answering questions on allegation of corruption, graft and other related offences, perpetrated in their respective ministries.
It was learnt that Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has began a move through the presidency and other top party officials to stave off the pressure of anti-graft agencies on his administration.
The petitioners accused the Council Chairmen, of deducting and diverting N10 million of their respective Council allocations in the past 10 months, totaling about N450 million to allegedly fund the senatorial ambition of the State Governor.
Among the chairmen arrested were the Chairman of the Awgu Local Government Council, Nnanna Nze; Aninri Local Government Chairman, Nwabueze Nwobodo; Ezeagu Local Government Chairman, Emeka Ozoagu; Oji-River Local Government Chairman, Onyemaechi Jideofor; and the Udi Local Government counterpart, Chinedu Iloeje,
The forum alleged in the petition: "In September 2014, each of these local government chairmen contributed the sum of N1 million each, towards the hosting of the traditional rulers in the Enugu West Senatorial District, at which the sole purpose of the meeting was to discuss how to support Barrister Chime at the forth coming PDP primaries for the District; and out of the money contributed, the traditional rulers were given N1 million, 10 cows and assorted drinks, all to cajole them to support Barrister Chime's senatorial bid.
"A few days ago, the five local government chairmen once again dipped their hands in the coffers of their local governments and withdrew money with which they purchased PDP Expression of Interest Forms and Nomination Forms for N4,500,000 for Barrister Sullivan Chime to contest the PDP primaries for the Enugu West Senatorial District seat.
"In September 2014, the five local government chairmen contributed the sum of N10 million each, toward a party rally held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu."
The petitioners, pleaded with the Police IG "to save the entire local government from the activities of the above named gentlemen, who are bent on mortgaging the future of the state."
Tribune
