Against the background of allegations of misappropriation of funds and abuse of office leveled against him by councillors, the Mkpat Enin Local Government Chairman, Mr. Aniekpon E. Ekpo is in for a difficult time.
Already, 10 out of 15 councillors of Mkpat Enin Legislative Council have penned their signatories in a petition for investigation and tendered balls of evidence on the allegations to sack the Council’s Chairman, Ekpo from office.
The petitioners presented the evidence before the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs headed by Rt. Hon. Mark Esset during a hearing on the matter Friday.
Recall that the committee commenced hearing on the matter on Monday, October 18, 2021, after receiving the petition from the 10 councillors on October 6, 2021.
Presenting evidence to the Committee, Barr Elisha Udosen who is the Deputy Chief Whip of Mkpat Enin Legislative Council alleged that the financial misappropriation against the Chairman covers diversion of monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Council worth N2 million.
Udosen who is also Ward 3 Councillor further alleged that since January 20, 2021, the Chairman had given a consultant control to manage the Council’s funds and the account is allegedly domiciled in New Dawn Micro Finance Bank.
Also, Duces Enterprise and Sam Roof, agents managing Ikot Akpaden Park and Ukam market, respectively, were accused of transferring funds into the Chairman’s personal account. The Councillor presented the evidence to the committee.
The Chairman was also accused of borrowing funds without approval of the Governor according to the Local Government Administration Law.
On security, the petitioners accused the Chairman of not taking proactive steps to address the insecurity in the area which gives rise to kidnapping and other vices as confirmed by the DPO of the area of making numerous attempts to reach out with suggestions to the Executive Chairman but to no avail.
In response, the Chairman dismissed as untrue that relevant security agencies have not been met on security issues, saying that a security committee has been holding a quarterly meeting with relevant security agencies.
On accusation of attempting to sell the Council’s grader and sound proof generator in the guise for repairs without the approval of the Financial and General Purpose Committee (FGPC), Mr. Ekpo admitted that he got the approval of the FGPC of the Council and the Secretary was part of the meeting.
Varying the Chairman’s statement, the secretary said she could not recall being part of such meeting.
However, the House Committee demanded extracts of such meetings which will give content evidence of issues under consideration.
The Executive Chairman debunked that it was part of the social responsibility of CCECC which approached the council to assist by virtue of the road project they handled in the area.
He added that because of the petition, he had asked the company to return the grader to the Council with no hope of taking over the N6 million repair expenses due to paucity of funds in the council.
Meanwhile, the Council Secretary, Princess Eno S. Ekanem invited by the House Committee to answer allegation of shunning receipt of the earlier petition addressed to the Chairman.
“I do not receive incoming mails but through the Confidential Secretary because it was addressed directly to the Chairman for proper administrative process and procedure,” Ekanem responded.
The Chairman of the House Committee, Hon. Mark Esset, said the hearing has to continue to give all parties opportunity of fair hearing.
He added that no amount of blackmail will deter the House from ensuring that all are given fair hearing and justice served according to the Local Government Administration Law.
Though the House Committee mandated all councillors to attend the hearing, 13 of 15 councillors were present.
Nine out of 10 councillors who earlier signed the petition said they still maintained their position considering the petition. The remaining one who was part of the signatories had to leave due to ill health. While, another who was not part of the signatories was unavoidably absent during the hearing on grounds of health condition too.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has adjourned hearing on the matter to Wednesday, October 27, 2021 by 10 a.m.
Invitations were extended through the Clerk of the Committee to Mkpat Enin Head of Service, Administrative Officer, Director of Finance, Director of Works and DSO to attend the next hearing.
Members of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the hearing included the Vice Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Archibong of Urue Offong/Oruko; Rt. Hon. Aniefiok Dennis Akpan of Etinan; and Rt. Hon. Uduak Odudoh of Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo.
Others were and Rt. Hon. Effiong Bassey of Oron/Udung Uko; Hon. Victor Ekwere of Mkpat Enin; Hon. Godwin Ekpo of Ibiono Ibom; Hon. Mfon Idung of Etim Ekpo/Ika; Hon. Charity Ido of Ukanafun and Hon. Effiong Johnson of Mbo.
