A Human Right group based in Ebonyi State, Ebonyi Accountability and Good Governance Initiative, EAGGI has called on association, groups and organizations within and outside Ebonyi to desist from giving awards to the Chairman of Ivo Local Government Area, Chief Emmanuel Ajah until he is absolved of all the criminal charges and prosecution against him.
The Coordinator of the Human Right group, Comrade Uchechukwu Wisdom said that it has become embarrassing, mockery and laughable that a political office holder who is facing a kidnap, murder and robbery charges before an Abakaliki High Court constantly receives numerous awards from different groups and organizations in and outside the State.
Comrade Wisdom maintained that the integrity, respect and image of the groups are now under scrutiny following the issuance of the awards and appealed that such awards henceforth should be put on hold until all the charges against him are resolved.
It would be recalled that the Council Chairman alongside others were last week arraigned in Court over alleged robbery, kidnap and murder.
Comrade Wisdom expressed concern over the image of the present administration of Rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru and called on the State Government to ensure diligent prosecution of the matter to serve as a deterrent to political office holders that gets involved in criminal activities.
“The image, respect and integrity of the people of Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area in extension that of Ebonyi State is being battered by the activities of some politicians in the area.
“Worst case scenario is the arraignment and prosecution of the number one citizen of the local government, Chief Emmanuel Ajah over alleged robbery, kidnap and murder. His alleged arrest by Police officers from the force headquarters on Sunday is also a big dent and embarrassment on the image of the people of the area.
“It is also disheartening that while he is still facing the criminal charges, different groups, organizations continues to bestow on him all manner of awards thereby ridiculing the image of the State and local government.
“In an advance Country, the Council Boss should have by now forced to resign or removed from office for him to go and face his criminal charges but in Nigeria, people with questionable character are celebrated.
“We have officially written to the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru expressing our reservation on the poor performance of the Council Chairman who goes about receiving awards to cover up for his abysmal performance in office both presently and in his last 2 years in office.
“It is our desire that the State Government, Non governmental organization, NGOs, groups and agencies do set up a monitoring team to scrutinize awards given to Government functionaries to end the underserved awards procured with government funds.
