| FRAUD ROCKS OHANAEZE:
Confusion in Ohanaeze over allegations of fraud
By CHRIS ANANA, Asaba
Saturday, November 6, 2004
For Prof. Joe Irukwu (SAN), President-General of the pan-Igbo
socio-political and cultural group, Ohanaeze, it is all part
of the grand design of the enemies of Ndigbo to split their
ranks and divert attention from the goal of the Igbo presidency
project. But there is still a huge pall of confusion hanging
over the organization as the seeming suspension of one of
its key leaders, Chief Joe Achuzia, in Asaba during the weekend.
Achuzia, Saturday Sun gathered, was at the end of Ohanaeze
Leadership Retreat held in the Delta State capital last weekend,
accused of recklessness in spending money meant for the body
without any authorisation or approval. Incidentally, Achuzia’s
accusers say it is not yet clear if Achuzia disbursed the
money directly or simply failed to pay adequate attention
as those around him expended money that was meant to be in
his trust.
Achuzia who is secretary-general of the organization was also
accused of receiving money donated to the body without informing
the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Joe Irukwu.
But Irukwu, in a telephone conversation, refused to deny or
confirm the allegation, preferring rather, to warn that journalists
must be cautious of stories planted by enemies of Ndigbo.
As at the time of going to press, Irukwu was said to be making
frantic efforts to reach leaders of the organization in Delta
State to quell the crisis before it gets out of hand.
That notwithstanding, Saturday Sun learnt that Achuzia has
up to November 14, 2004, to properly account for all the money
collected by him in the form of donations to the organization.
Of particular interest is the one million naira said to have
been donated by Ambassador Raph Uwechue in support for Ohanaeze
Ndigbo, Delta State chapter, in August 25, 2004 and another
one million to Igbo day celebration held last September 2004.
The last one million was said to have been donated on August
25, 2004.
Questions are also been asked over yet another one million
said to have been donated to the organization in March by
a South Eastern governor.
A source within the Delta State chapter of Ohanaeze said that
the Ohanaeze Ime Obi, the highest ruling body of the Ohanaeze
Ndi-Igbo, met on 29th of October 2004 at the Palace of the
Asagba of Asaba and set up a peace committee to look at the
allegations made against the secretary.
The committee in its report was said to have ordered that
the secretary-general, return all Ohanaeze property in his
custody immediately and account for all the money he collected
on behalf of the Ohanaeze.
The chief scribe was also told to render account of his expenditure
at Abuja and should cease making any statements concerning
the Ohanaeze, unless with the approval of the President-General.
The Saturday Sun was told that a leadership of the state’s
Ohanaeze was embarrassed in a statement reportedly made by
the secretary-general that Ohanaeze was not involved in the
“Igbo leadership Retreat”, that it was only Aka
Ikenga. Achuzia was not at the retreat, although Irukwu tendered
apologies on his behalf, saying that the secretary lost his
brother.
Meanwhile a meeting of Ohanaeze Ime Obi is to hold at the
palace of Asagba of Asaba on Sunday November 14, 2004, where
it would be decided whether Achuzia will retain his position
as secretary -general as it was zoned to Igbo Delta.
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