News
Kogi: Edward Onoja, cousin in Constituency Projects scandal
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, his cousin, Mr. Onoja Emmanuel Joshua have been involved in multi-million naira constituency projects scandal, CAPITAL POST reports.
In documents made available to our correspondent in Lokoja, the Constituency projects belonging to the former lawmaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Friday Sani Makama was said to have been executed by a company known as ‘E..J. Jemdee Nigeria Limited.’
Records of the company at the Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja showed that the company was quickly registered to fleece the Constituency fund which was statutorily meant for constituency projects of the former lawmaker who represented Igalamela/Odolu State Constituency in the House of Assembly.
E. J. Jemdee Nigeria Limited was registered on 26th May, 2016, with Mr. Onoja Emmanuel Joshua, Mrs Uyo Emmanuel Joy, as directors,
Friday Sani Makama was on illegal suspension from the House of Assembly neither executed any of his Constituency projects, nor aware of any contract executed nor ongoing in his state Constituency.
Before the lawmaker was suspended from the House through a motion which was upheld by the House Speaker, Hon. Mathew Kolawole, the Constituency project for 2015 which was executed by Friday Makama was partly paid to the tune of N5 million out of N10 million.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker in his reaction explained that he didn’t receive any payment since he was suspended from the State House of Assembly on March 27th 2017.
“Since I was suspended from the House, I have never been anything. Even my entitlement has never been paid me in the last four years despite court judgement in my favour. “
“The House of Assembly under Mathew Kolawole leadership takes instruction from the Executive before doing anything. I haven’t been paid anything”, he insisted.
On 20th December, 2018, the sum of N10 million Constituency projects for Igalamela/Odolu was paid to E. J. Jemdee Nigeria Limited.
Checks by the newspaper revealed that no projects was executed anywhere in the state Constituency of the former lawmaker.
A staff in Accounts department of the Kogi State House of Assembly, who did not want his name in print explained that there was never due process in line with Kogi State public Procurement Act in the award of contracts. He said: “We act on instructions from above here. We are here to do what our superiors oblige us to do.”
On the ownership of E. J. Jemdee, he said: “The company belong to Onoja’s family now.” You know what I am talking about, he maintained.
Meanwhile, search conducted by a law firm, Chike Enechukwu Chambers, further revealed that the Company – E. J Jemdee Nigeria Limited, lacked the necessary requirement to participate in contract bid competition, as it was not updated in payment of its tax clearance, annual returns and others.
Search documents also revealed that E. J. Jemdee Nigeria Limited has a share capital of N1,000,000 with Edward Onoja’s cousin having a lion share N700,000.00, while Mrs Uyo Joy has N300,000 share as a director.
Mr. Onoja Emmanuel Joshua is also the State Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Kogi State, while effort to speak with him proved abortive as his two lines were switched off at the time of filing this report.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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