Umahi suspends auditor-general, others | Nairalaw

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Friday suspended the
Auditor-General of the state, Mr Innocent Nwida from office over
the latest communal crisis in the state.

The governor also suspended other elected and appointed office
holders from Igbeagu Community in the Izzi Local Government Area of
the state because of the crisis.

On April 9, Umahi suspended the chairmen of Ikwo and Abakaliki
Local Government Councils and all elected and appointed office
holders from Enyibichiri in Ikwo and Enyigba in Abakaliki over a
communal clash.

Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Commissioner for Border, Peace and Internal
Security, announced the suspension of the officials while
addressing newsmen after the governor’s meeting with people from
Igbeagu Community, involved in a boundary dispute with Ukele
community in Cross River.

Ugbala noted that the suspension, which took immediate effect
would elapse when peace returned to the communities.

“The affected persons include the Auditor-General of the state,
Mr Innocent Nwida, Mr Cletus Nwakpu, Project Coordinator of the
FADAMA 3 programme and His Royal Highness, Ogbonnaya Ukwa, among
other political office holders.

“The issue of whether the governor has the constitutional right
to suspend the elected officers does not arise because they are
constitutionally mandated to protect the lives and property of
their people.

“However, when an elected officer fails to perform this
function, he has violated the constitution and should either
resign, be suspended or charged to court.

“The courts would interpret such issues further and we are
expecting such situations with this decision taken,” Ugbala
said.

The commissioner berated the National Boundary Commission (NBC)
for its inability to permanently resolve the bound disputes,
including others in several parts of the state.

“We sometimes doubt the sincerity of the Federal Government in
settling such crisis and view the NBC as a toothless bulldog.

“It has made several visits to the disputed areas even before
the inception of the present administration but no decision has
been made.

“It is not our duty to demarcate the boundaries and the state
government has attended all meetings convened by the NBC, being
always disposed to peace.

“We urge the commission to live up to its responsibilities
because no land is worth the lives of the citizens.

“The commission only makes ‘urban carol’ visits to the areas
whenever there are clashes and we urge the media to mandate it to
perform its duties.”

The commissioner noted that Umahi would visit the affected areas
on Saturday to assess the extent of damage and find a permanent
solution to the crisis.

“Stakeholders from the areas are enjoined to enlighten their
people on ways of ensuring peace as the government will also look
into issues concerning internally displaced persons,” he said.

Kwara Police Command Reacts to Rumours of Terrorists in
Helicopter

The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Police Command Cp Kayode
Egbetokun, wishes to assure the good people of Kwara State of the
Command ‘s commitment to the security and safety of lives and
property of the citizens.

The Command is not unaware of the concern of some citizens over
a false alarm going the rounds to the effect that, an Helicopter
was sighted at Lalaji town, in Edu Local government area of the
State, discharging men bearing dangerous weapons in the bushes.

Even some online reporters went public with the unsubstantiated
rumour without recourse to the Command, this is very unprofessional
and highly provocative. However, the Command for the umpteenth time
is assuring the people of Kwara State of its capability to provide
security for the citizens.

The people sighted at Lalaji town were a team from Padlink
Resources Limited, who were at the location to conduct geological
mapping and mineral exploration, with the approval from the Federal
Ministry of Mine and Steel Development under the National
Integrated Mineral exploration project (NIMEP).

The people of Kwara are advised to pass informations of any
suspicious movements within their areas through the established
channels made available by the Command, rather than making false
statements that is capable of creating unnecessary tension in the
State.

Journalists, especially bloggers and online reporters are
advised to always verify their stories before going public, the
Kwara State Command holds and will continue to hold members of the
press in high esteem.

The good people of the State are advised to go about their
normal businesses, and disregard the false news of terrorists
invading the state, the Nigeria Police Force and sister security
agencies in the state are working round the clock to ensure that
good people of Kwara sleeps with their two eyes closed, please.

Dsp Okasanmi Ajayi
Police Public Relations Officer,
Kwara State Command