Posted by By Osaro Okhomina & Simon Ebegbulem on
YOUTHS suspected to be loyalists of the Chairman of Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday attacked and frustrated attempts by the operatives of the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to interview the Council Chairman, Mr. Charles Igbinedion and other senior officials of the council over allegation of finacial mismanagement levelled at them by some councillors.
BENIN CITY - YOUTHS suspected to be loyalists of the Chairman of Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State yesterday attacked and frustrated attempts by the operatives of the Economic and Finacial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to interview the Council Chairman, Mr. Charles Igbinedion and other senior officials of the council over allegation of finacial mismanagement levelled at them by some councillors.
The agrieved councillors had in a petition to the EFCC, last month, alleged that the council in the last few months was involved in the diversion of council funds for personal projects, payment of monthly N10 million fund to some unknown leaders of the party in the area and the diversion of allowances of elected councillors without due authorisation.
But the attempt by the operatives of the EFCC led by one officer Lawan to enter the council secretariat in Okada was frustrated by some youths who accused the officers of allowing themselves to be used by some individuals in the area.
Vanguard gathered yesterday that the operatives of the EFCC, numbering about 10 arrived the state on Monday around 3:00 p.m. and proceeded to the Adesuwa Police Station to register their presence before proceeding to the Okada Secretariat of the council but they were prevented by the youths who threatened to deal with them.
It was gathered that the officials of the commission, however proceeded to the Benin City residence of the council chairman in an attempt to carry out their assignment but did not meet the council boss.
Vanguard's attempt to speak with the leader of the EFCC operatives, Mr. Lawan failed as he directed that the commisiion's Public Relations Officer, Mr. Osita Nwaja, be contacted on telephone.
All calls made to the PRO mobile telephone proved abortive as he was reported to be in a meeting.
Contacted later, the Ovia North-East Council Chairman, Mr. Charles Igbinedion confirmed to Vanguard that the operatives visited but denied knowledge of any confrontation between the youths and the men of the commission.