By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

The Okuokpellaogbe of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo, Michael Sado, has debunked allegations of financial fraud and personalised control of community resources.

The traditional ruler made the clarification in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, following his recent interface with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Ukhomuyo Council of Village Heads in the area through their counsel, A. O. Osagie and Associates had petitioned the Benin zonal office of the EFCC against Sado, over alleged fraudulent activities.

In the petition, the village heads accused the traditional ruler of allegedly converting the entire Ukhomuyio Community into his personal estate.

They also alleged that the traditional ruler diverted huge sums of money meant for the community from the natural resources in the area into his personal account.

They accused him of disrespecting the people and usurping the constitutional powers of the Edo government.

They also alleged that he breached the subsisting Community Development Agreement (CDA) between Okpella Cement Plc (Dangote Cement) and Ukhumuniyo Community.

Reacting to the allegations, Sado said they were orchestrated by individuals whose access to community funds was cut off by his administration’s new transparency and development-driven framework.

He explained that prior to his ascension to the throne seven months ago, Okpella community hosting major industrial giants—lacked basic infrastructure though it generates billions in revenue for Edo and the federation.

The traditional leader recalled that upon his ascension, he met a system where specific percentages of community revenue was shared among the palace, landowners, and the community, yet there was no visible development.

He noted that the community, which produces significant revenue daily through industrial activities, had lacked functional water, electricity, and standard roads for decades.

Sado said that to address the perennial challenge, he held a council meeting with stakeholders where a decision was reached to suspend the old order and shift focus to community development.

“As big as Okpella is, we do not have an ICT centre. If our students want to write examinations, we move them to the Igarra community.

“So, I scrapped the revenue committee so that Okpella must move forward.

“I worked on our revenue and now Okpella generates about eight million naira every month.

“I don’t take any money from it; the money goes to security and other projects,” he said.

Addressing rumors of his arrest, the Okuokpellaogbe clarified that he was only invited by the EFCC to respond to a petition allegedly filed by the Ukhomunyio Council of Village Heads.

He alleged that the petition was signed by a few individuals claiming to represent the council but had since been formally disclaimed.

He said he had already presented evidence of ongoing projects funded by community revenue before the anti-graft agency for detailed investigation.

“I have not only used the community’s revenue for development but have also injected my personal funds to ensure Okpella moves forward,” he added.

He listed several ongoing and completed projects under his initiative, including the construction of a Police Area Command in Okpella and the establishment of a robust local security network.

“I got approval for a Police Area Command. The building has been completely roofed and plastering is ongoing.

“Also, one of the Magistrate’s Courts in Okpella was using an abandoned secondary school.

“I approached the Chief Judge of Edo, who gave approval to build a Magistrate’s Court, an Area Court, and two Judges’ quarters. I have roofed them,” he said.

Sado also listed other projects to include the repair of boreholes across various communities, the construction of a modern palace, and a market.

Other initiatives include the establishment of a Microfinance Bank set to commence operations soon, and the completion of an ICT centre.

“I am also working on a standard ICT centre with a 1,500-person capacity that will have 24-hour power supply.

“I also bought a standard drone that is being used by the police to enhance security operations in the presented evidence of ongoing projects funded by community revenue and other parts of Edo,” he said.

Responding to questions regarding the use of accounts for community funds, the traditional ruler explained that he introduced a central community account, which never existed historically.

“In our tradition, money came to the royal father. I am the first to insist on an infrastructure committee and a Community Development Association (CDA) structure that monitors work,” he explained.

He added that he maintains a comprehensive ledger of all revenues and expenditures, insisting that his primary goal remains to alleviate poverty and infrastructure decay in Okpella in spite of its industrial wealth. (NAN)

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