Johnkennedy Uzoma – Owerri
The traditional ruler of Assa Autonomous Community in Ohaji, Ohaji/Egbema LGA of Imo, HRH Eze Emmanuel Assor has completely dismissed allegations bordering on stool stealing and embezzlement of funds leveled against him by some members of his community.
Briefing newsmen in Owerri Wednesday, Eze Assor stated that already he is a duly certified and recognized traditional ruler crowned in line with the enabling laws and tradition.
Assor who is also the chairman Imo State Council of Traditional Institution and Community Policing Ohaji/Egbema said that he knew nothing about any issue of embezzlement of funds of N76m meant for community development.
He said: “I knew practically nothing about the fund as I was never a member of the community development board. I never handled any board related project in Assa or even had any financial transaction with Waltersmith Petroleum Oil limited since their presence in Assa”
On the 4.5klm road construction issue, the National Secretary of Traditional Rulers of Oil and Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), said that the contract was awarded to a company in which he is the chairman.
He said that work on the Asda/Obosima road was temporally stopped due to cost escalation and some technical hitches but had been resolved.
The Monarch stated that the award of the road contract was never because of his position as a traditional ruler but on merit because the company has being existing before his enthronement as a traditional ruler.
He reminded that since his emergence, he has been in peace with his community pointing out that the few individuals who have been making the allegations do not represent community opinion but rather personal.
The traditional ruler urged the people to disregard their baseless and unfounded petition targeted at tarnishing his image.
He said: “as a traditional ruler and the custodian of culture and tradition, no amount of pressure, intimidation and even hate speeches as witnessed will compel me into calling Bad Good”
He expressed worries that even those that petitioned him are his subjects whom he assisted in one way or the other in life even their families.
The bone of contention according to the Monarch is that one of the petitioners Moses Ogbuji, a staff of Imo State Ministry of Petroleum and Environment wanted to be lord in the community and he said no to that.
He said the second petitioner David Egbula, a former President General of Assa Community wanted to perpetuate himself in community-based positions against other persons and he advised against his aspirations upon the year I gave and agitations from his village.
The former NDDC Commissioner in Imo State said that though the matter is already before the Police authorities while using them to endeavour to carry out due diligence and full-scale investigation on the allegations instead of disturbing the General public.
The picture showing the Traditional Ruler of Assa Autonomous Community in Ohaji in Ohaji/Egbema LAG of Imo State HEH Exe Emmanuel Assor while briefing journalists in Owerri recently.
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