An anti-corruption crusader has cried out over what he termed the “fraudulent activities and corrupt practices of political appointees” in the Imo State Government.

In a letter which he wrote to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha, former Senior Special Assistant on Media/Immediate Past Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, specifically cited the Speaker’s Office as a centre of corruption. Apart from naming names in the letter dated 20th December 2013 and entitled “FRAUD IN IMO SPEAKER’S OFFICE”, also demanding an opportunity to prove his claims.

The letter, a copy of which is in the possession of News Express, reads as follows:

“May I appreciate you Sir in this period of Christmas in Jesus Mighty name Amen.

“I am constrained by recent development in the Office of the Rt. Honourable Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly to write your Excellency and formally report that fraud and corrupt practices have gained tap root in that Office.

“Your Rescue Mission Administration which is doing its best to reposition the State (which also went further to elect some very competent individuals to facilitate her mission; top of the list is Rt. Hon. Chief Benjamin Chukwuemeka Uwajumogu whose leadership at the Imo State House of Assembly has been able to achieve the following – Passing of over 40 people Oriented Laws (Bills) and over 100 people oriented motions, Appropriation and oversight functions, Resolution of communal crisis across the state, building bridges of understanding among leaders in the state, facilitating infrastructural projects across the state, amongst others) has in the past few months been receiving bashing, attacks and severe criticisms from Imo People due to the fraudulent activities and corrupt practices of political appointees in this government.

“The Chief of Staff to the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe and the acting Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ahaneku, are severely damaging the image and reputation of this government with their fraudulent practices at the Assembly. While the Chief of Staff (without the knowledge of the Speaker) is massively involved in fraud and corrupt practices, the acting SSA on Media (also without the knowledge of the Speaker) is involved in stealing and diversion of stipends meant for accredited

correspondents of Imo State House of Assembly. The Assembly correspondents have written petitions to the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly.

“On the 7th of November 2013, I personally wrote a letter to the Speaker complaining and reporting the activities of the Chief of Staff (Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe) and his cohorts. I asked the Speaker to set up a 4 man panel to investigate my allegations. But instead a query was issued to me 36 days later (on the 13th of December 2013). I responded to the query immediately, pleading that at least a 4 man panel made up of honourable members should be constituted to look into my allegations.

“The intrigues that followed made me to resign my appointment as the Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties on the 17th of December 2013.

“Your Excellency, I am therefore calling on you most respectfully to compel the leadership of Imo State House of Assembly to set up a 4 man panel/committee made up of only honourable members who must invite me in the presence of Pressmen to make statements against the Chief of Staff and the acting SSA on media.

“This rescue mission government will only have genuine meaning if fraudulent and corrupt political appointees like Mr. Kodichi Anamekwe and Emeka Ahaneku are appropriately investigated.”

•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.

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