Alleged Embezzlement Of 2billion LG Fund: Council Boss, Councillors Cause Chaos
The Chairman, Ezza South Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Mrs. Euphemia Nwali and the Councillors of Amegu Nsokara and Amezekwe ward Hon. Ikechukwu Ukpabi and Oviga Cletus yesterday bickered over alleged embezzlement of over N2billion local government fund by the Council Chairman.
Our correspondent gathered that trouble started during the presentation of 2024 budget by the Council Chairman at the Council headquarters, Onueke Ezza South Local Government Area.
It was gathered that Hon. Ukpabi and Oviga had accused the council Chairman of mismanagement of fund, alleging that the over 2billion naira 2023 budget was misappropriated as there’s no project executed in their various wards.
Hon Ukpabi and Oviga also accused Mrs. Nwali of withholding their entitlements and other 9 months allowances accrued to them for several months and objected the vote of confidence proposed by other Councillors on the Chairman.
The duo allegedly disrupted the council’s activities, destroying properties at the council headquarters worth millions of naira. Their action triggered chaos and fight between the two Councillors and those loyal to the Chairman.
The fight left many wounded, one person hospitalized, vandalization of many vehicles, cutting of some persons with machetes.
But in a swift reaction, Mrs. Nwali debunked the allegation that her administration is owing councillors salaries and allowances adding that her administration has embarked on several projects across all the wards in the local government.
The council boss who described the accusation as a lie and plot to disparage her good records in office noted that her administration from its inception had never owned or withheld allowances and salaries of councillors or staff.
She explained that salaries of workers including councillors and their entitlements are paid promptly adding that the duo were being alledgedly sponsored by the Senator Representing, Ebonyi Central Senatorial zone who is her predecessor.
“Ukpabi and Oviga are being sponsored to destabilize my administration . I was presenting the 2024 budget, and everything was peaceful. The councillors passed a vote of confidence on my administration because of the peace and infrastructural facilities we have provided for the people in the council” she said.
Meanwhile, 8 Councillors loyal to the Council Chairman in a statement signed by them suspended Ukpabi and Oviga and called for their immediate arrest over the mayhem they unleashed on the people who were at the council for the budget presentation.
