Scandal: Akwa Ibom SSG, Commissioner in alleged fraudulent activities
The duo of the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem and the Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, have been accused of financial impropriety by a group of indigenes of Itu Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
This is arising from the nonpayment of compensation to persons whose properties have been affected by Hendai City, a proposed Chinese estate in Itu Local Government Area.
The affected communities are Obong Itam, Ikot Ukap and Ikot Andem.
Raising alarm over alleged embezzlement of compensation funds, Edet Ndarake Akpan, Okon Eyo Udofo, Asuquo Edet Udo, Godwin Effiok
Akpan, William Edet Udo, Nwanakoro Joseph Udofe, Kingsley Bassey Ekpo, Ini Ndarakee Asukwo, Mfon Edem Otung, Bassey Etim Uwah and Sunday Efiong iniunam, on behalf of the host communities, alleged that the said act was perpetrated by the goverment officials in connivance with one Prince Owoedinyene Essien.
The complaint is contained in a petition sent to Governor Udom Emmanuel, dated 22 November 2021, issued by Barr Mfon Udeme of Prospect Chambers and Co.
MP
It reads in part: “It is our client’s brief that government officials working under the Commissioner for Lands, Pastor Umo Eno and that of the office of the Secretary to the State Government
under Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem used their privileged positions in government to embezzle the hundreds of millions of Naira earmarked for compensation of indigenes of Obong Itam, Ikot Ukap and Ikot Andem Villages whose lands had been forcefully and unlawfully taken over by the Government of Akwa Ibom State.
“Our clients position arises from the confirmed fact that the Hon. Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno failed, neglected and/or blatantly refused to address the issues of release/payment of the compensationon aforesaid despite the numerous correspondences submitted. Please find attached hereto Demands for Payment dated 12 April, 2021 and 20 May, 2021 earlier served/received by the Hon. CommissIoner for Lands.”
The petition further alleged that “the fraudulent activities of these government officials got to a climax on the 11th day of November, 2021 when the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem led a team to forcefully conduct a ground breaking ceremony for a purported Akwa Ibom State Government Project tagged HENDAI CITY based upon the false claim that government has settled all claims and has completed payment of compensation to the
original owners of the land in compliance with the law.”
It also stated that the duo together with Prince Owoedinyene Essien caused a false online report to be published that the government had duly acquired the over 120 hectares of land, adding that the perceived injustice sparked mass protest by the community leaders, youth and women.
The petition also stated that “the issue of enumeration and payment of compensation ought to have been concluded before the government could contemplate any activity such as the commencement of business.”
“”Moving into the Ikot Akpayat community/ villages with bulldozers and caterpillars, clearing same and destroying economic areas/crops and including the traditional shrines of the people smack of the highest level of government insensitivity and oppression.
“The different communities no longer know the boundaries of their lands and have been wickedly obstructed from Cultivation of their land even when no kobo has been paid as compensation in accordance with law.
“To make matters worse, the government showed no concern whatsoever and intentionally refused to respond to several letters of demand creating the impression that probably the compensation money has been released for payment but embezzled by the officials,” they lamented.
A fourteen days notice was given to the state government to facilitate payment of the compensation otherwise legal action would be commenced against persons directly or indirectly involved in the case.
When contacted by his reporter, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem warned this reporter that he would seek redress if any “libellous” publication is made against him, adding that he has not withheld the said compensation funds: “Do your job as a journalist. If any publication is libellous, I will seek redress in court. I know absolutely nothing about land compensation money that was earmarked for the community being withheld by my office.”
He later messaged this reporter and gave the following explanation: “I discovered, on the scheduled date for the project ground breaking that compensation matters had not yet been tidied up and I invited the youth representatives of the four communities to a fact-finding meeting in my office.
“I established the truth: compensation is yet to be paid. That is being addressed now by the Technical Committee on Foreign Direct investment, office of the Surveyor General and the Ministry of Lands.
“Feel free to check with the four youth representatives who attended the meeting in my office. So, whoever is peddling the falsehood of deliberate withholding of compensation payment is being mischievous.”
On his part, Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, replied, saying “thank you very much, Sir. Since the petition is sent to my Boss (Governor), I will wait for his directive or probe on the fraud/embezzlement.
The lawyer could have done better by verifying facts. Regards please.”
