An Imo group under the aegis of Orlu Patriots Vanguard, OPA, has accused former Sole Administrator of Orlu Local Government Council, Chris Mbarie of illegally acquiring some properties belonging to the Council and financial transactions unaccounted for even as he refused to properly hand over to his successor.
The accusation followed the alleged disappearance of the said properties.
The group condemned the action of the former SOLAD for not doing a proper handover to his successor as it was done by his predecessor, Nneoma Ifeoma Ndukwu when he assumed office.
In its press release jointly signed by the Coordinator Ifeanyi Nndiekwe and Secretary, Nze Jude Ibebuogu stated,
“We are deeply concerned about some of the activities and shenanigans of Pastor Mbarie during and after his tenure as the Sole Administrator of Orlu LGA. For instance, while in office, he claimed that the Ford Hilux official vehicle that was handed over to him by his predecessor, Nneoma Ifeoma Ndukwu was snatched from him by unknown gunmen on his way to Owerri in the company of three others who were with him in the vehicle”
They stated that they did not understand the story as told by Mbarie, describing it as a fairy tale that has raised a lot of questions that are yet to be answered.
In the statement, the group revealed that following the alleged robbery incident which the former SOLAD reported to Government House, a brand new Toyota Hilux was given to him in the name of Orlu Local Government Council and also a brand new Toyota Sienna for the Ebubeagu security outfit but that it was later learnt that he refurbished an old rickety vehicle which has been abandoned and gave it to the security outfit while withholding the branded new one for his personal use.
They further accused him of repairing a white Nissan bus belonging to the Council for his personal use and went ahead to sell all abandoned vehicles in the Council Headquarters without the knowledge of the Director of Administration and General Services, DAGS, and the Treasury, observing that all the properties mentioned were not captured in his hand over note.
The release further stated, “As concerned and patriotic citizens in line with our passionate commitment to the political and Socio-economic development of Orlu Local Government Area and Imo State at large, we urge the State Government and relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate Mbarie’s claim during an address of some leaders shortly after Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma’s inauguration for a second tenure that the second Toyota Hilux Vehicle that was given to him by the State Government was vandalized where he parked it in a hotel at Owerri”
The group also in the press statement questioned the veracity of his claim asking if he was on official engagement at the hotel where the said incident took place, whether it was only his car that was vandalized and what was the reaction of the hotel management.
”They also asked if the incident was reported to the Police and what was their response.
“There is a need to verify all these with the view to getting to the root of the matter. When the current SOLAD assumed office, he promptly invited the Department of State Security Service, DSS, who swung into action and subsequently recovered the new Toyota Hilux Vehicle that was not handed over to DAGS as directed by the State Government,” the release further stated.
The group further alleged that the former SOLAD deprived women and youths of the council opportunity to acquire skills by selling materials that were brought for the programme by an illustrious son of the area.
Reacting to the reports when contacted, Mbarie denied all the allegations levelled against him describing them as false and fabricated.
He claimed they were stories cooked up by political enemies scared of his rising profile and the love he enjoys from the people of the area who have vowed to cast their votes for him.
He narrated how he was attacked on the road where the vehicle was snatched from him.
On the hotel incident, he claimed he immediately reported the matter to the Police and security personnel of the hotel were arrested after which the hotel management paid him the sum of N700,000 to assist in the repair of the vehicle.
In the issue of the said Nissan bus, he said it was bought by a pensioner from a registered government auctioneer maintaining that all the records are there for public scrutiny.
“All these false reports are politically motivated,” he said.
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