EFCC arrest Edo Traditional Ruler

ADMIN.

The Benin Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested HRM, Michael Sado, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State

The traditional ruler was arrested alongside one Egr. Patrick Omkhagbo for alleged fraudulent activities.

The arrest was a sequel to a petition to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency by the Ukhomuyo Council of Village Heads in the area through their counsel A. O. Osagie & Associates.

In the petition, the Village Heads accused the traditional ruler of allegedly converting the entire Ukhomuyio community to his personal estate.

They also alleged that the traditional ruler collected huge sums meant for the community from the natural resources in the area into his personal account.

They accused him of disrespecting the people and usurping the constitutional powers of the Edo State government.

They also alleged that he breached the subsisting Community Development Agreement (CDA) between Okpella Cement Plc. (Dangote Cement) and Ukhumuniyo Community. The elders said the agreement was drawn from provisions of section 116 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007.

The petition reads: “In the said Community Development Agreement (CDA), it was clearly stated that the Host Mineral Producing Community (Ukhumuniyo Community) where the mining activities of Okpella Cement Pic (Dangote Cement) are carried out shall be entitled to certain sums of monies, wherein the sum of N250, 000, 000, 00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only) be paid annually to the Host Community, which is Ukhomuyio.

However, they said without recourse to the subsisting agreement, another bank account was opened by the traditional ruler with the name of Okpella Community Development, alleging that he is the sole signatory to it.

“Sir, as we write you, our clients have been pleading with members and Youths of Ukhomunyio Community, Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, of Edo State, not to be involved in any violent conduct, as the “Suspect” is threatening that he will cause intra communal warfare in Okpella Community, if our clients escalate his alleged Financial Crimes.

Insecurity is commonplace in Okpella Community, and the threats to cause intra communal warfare should not be taken with kid gloves or as a mere hollow statement.

“We implore you to invite, arrest and prosecute the Suspects and other Complicit Staff of the Dangote Cement Pic, Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State as their activities does not only have the elements of various economic crimes but it is a call to anarchy and lawlessness in the society”