By Aniefiok Christopher
Barely two weeks after the Mkpat Enin Council Boss, Mr. Anieokpon Ekpo was dragged to the State House of Assembly over cases of financial misappropriation and abuse of office by a number of Councilors, the Proprietor of Albert Institute of Technology, Uyo, has dragged the Chairman to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged cases of fraud and impersonation.
The chairman was dragged to the House by 10 councillors over alleged misappropriation of public funds and abuse of office until members of the house committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs were reportedly directed to pipe down on the probe.
The institution’s proprietor, Engr. Augustine Udoh had in a petition served by his lawyer, Barr. Anthony Udoh, dated May 17, 2021 and duly received by the Commission on the May 31, 2021, asked the EFCC to prevail on Mr. Anieokpon Ekpo to return N480,000 he fraudulently obtained from him under pretence that he is a qualified Town Planner.
Our correspondent gathered that the Council boss had induced the Proprietor to believe that he is a qualified Town Planner who is competent and capable to carry out Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) and as well issue the environmental analysis Report to him for which he obtained the said sum of N400,000.
It was, however, discovered that Mr. Anieokpon Ekpo was not a qualified Town Planner, competent and capable to carry out E.I.A as well as issue the E.IA Report as was discovered by the regulating bodies, Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) which accordingly rejected the EIA Report.
Udoh equally stated that Ekpo who was then, the Proprietor of Edar Polytechnic, Uyo, had in the same year collected about N80,000 for admission and graduation purposes of which he equally failed to deliver on the purposes for which the money was paid.
“In the circumstance, we do hereby passionately implore you to use your good offices and prevail over Mr. Anieokpon Eno Ekpo and his fraudulent intrigues by causing him to refund to our client the sum of N480,000 he fraudulently obtained from our client,” the letter stated.
The EIA Report, a condition approval to commence a Polytechnic, is a requirement in line with relevant agencies, before approval can be obtained for the permanent site of the proposed Albert Polytechnic in Uyo.
According to the proprietor, he is optimistic that the EFCC will resolve the matter in his favour, otherwise, he will have no other option than to seek redress in the court.
A source close to the Uyo Zonal Office of the EFCC stated that the Council boss was about a month ago, quizzed by agents of the Commission on the matter which is still under investigation.
When our reporter contacted the chairman on WhatsApp to comment on matter, the Council Boss said ‘’the Proprietor’s claims were unfounded and mere fabrications meant to tarnish his image.’’
He, however, queried the Proprietor’s rationale in approaching the media on the matter.
“Is he looking for the money or wants to publish it? Am Sick and tired of the man’s inglorious approach on the issue. If he knows that his money is in my hand, I think he should approach the court to make known his claims and leave pages of newspapers that will not produce money,” the Council Boss had responded.
