Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The people of Uteh Ekoko community in Ikpoba Okha Local government area of Edo State, have cried out to the state government to step into alleged diversion of funds meant for the purchase of transformer in the community.
They made the appeal while addressing journalists during a peaceful protest to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State council.
The protesters brandished placards with the inscriptions that read thus “Say no to looting of landlords and land ladies funds, Our eye don open, Uteh Ekoko and bring back our transformer”
Spokespersons for the protesters, Mr. Ifeanyi Amiodo alleged that each houses contributed the sum of N40,000.00 and a few others contributed N80,000.00 amounting to over N15 million to purchase a transformer for the community but Mr. Henry Edo, the Landlords Association Chairman of the community and Mr. Onwugbufor Celestine, Transformer Committee Chairman, embezzled the money.
Mr. Amiodo said when they decided to voice out, they were labeled suspected cultists.
Amiodo alleged that Mr. Henry Edo threatened to use his influence in the government to pull down their houses as they have been used for cult related activities.
He said for about a month and 11 days now, they have been on the issue but all they keep getting, was a print out of the money spent, which they opposed to, insisting that, a bank statement should be provided instead to clear their doubts.
Responding to the allegation, the landlords association chairman, Mr. Henry Edo narrated how he went about with the purchase of the transformer for the community.
He denied any financial impropriety noting that all financial records were intact and were once presented to them at the committee of the whole in which they were all commended for a job well done.
Mr. Edo who narrated how he was assaulted and humiliated by the members of the community, described their actions as victimization.
For Mr. Onwugbufor Celestine, the Transformer Committee Chairman, he said his hands are cleansed, stressing that, he has all the records of the money spent.
Earlier the chairman, NUJ, Edo State council, Dr Festus Alenkhe urged the protesters to embark on their agitation in a peaceful manner.
