News
Obi Cubana: South East Coalition calls for immediate, unconditional release of business tycoon
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the umbrella body of all the youth groups in the South East geopolitical zone is alarmed over the recent arrest of a legitimate successful Igbo businessman Chief Obinna Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana who is the CEO of Obi Cubana group.
The arrest of Obi is another version of President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-Igbo policies. We can now confirm that any Igboman that succeeds in business or is a philanthropist who helps his brothers is an enemy of the present administration.
In a statement which was signed by the President General of the group, Hon. Goodluck Ibem and made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja, they recalled how the federal government victimized an Igbo son who owned Ibeto cement so that a northerner will be the only one in-charge of the business in Nigeria. The business of victimizing and intimidating Ndigbo is still fully on, we have seen it.
Obi Cubana is not a politician nor a government contractor but a legitimate businessman of great repute who have invested so much on human capital. What is his offence to be embarrassed by EFCC.
The reason for his arrest by EFCC is just a flimsy excuse by the EFCC to insult and embarrass the integrity of the Igbo nation.
The EFCC claimed he was arrested because of money laundering and tax evasion. Now how many Fulani cattle dealers and businessmen pay tax in Nigeria? The main people who are money launderers in Nigeria are Fulani businessmen. They keep large sums of money running into over N200,000,000 in their houses. The carry such amount of money in cash to buy cows and transact other businesses.
Over 80 percent of Fulani and Hausa businessmen do not have any bank account. Now who is the real money launderer here if not the Fulani businessmen .
Obi Cubana is just of victim because he have been seen with some politicians who visited him in his house and so people within the corridors of power now see him a threat who may sponsor his Igbo brother in the 2023 Presidential election.
Obi Cubana is not a politician but he has rights to talk with or associate with whoever he deems fit. To victimize him because he was seen with some Igbo politicians who visited him in his house is wicked and barbaric.
We warn the EFCC to stop the intimidation and harassment of prominent Igbo sons and daughters under the guise of fighting corruption. If the EFCC claims they are looking for those evading tax and laundering money, there should go and arrest cattle dealers, tomatoes, carrots dealers from the North. So many of them do not even know what is tax and what is called bank account.
Ignorance is not an accuse in law. The EFCC should immediately move and arrest them so that we will know that the mean serious business.
Just few days ago, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim was arrested an Igboman, the residence of a Supreme Court Justice was invaded by EFCC an Igbowoman and today Obi Cubana was also arrested because he is an Igboman. The entire scenario confirms that this is complete ethnic profiling by the federal government.
President Muhammadu Buhari should desist from victimizing, intimidating and witch-hunting the Igbo race using the EFCC.
EFCC is not an agency that collects tax on behalf of the government, but for the EFCC to dabble into a matter that is not its constitutional responsibility confirms a sinister motive and plot by the FG to embarrass and intimidate the Igbo nation.
The Federal Government should leave Ndigbo alone and concentrate on his responsibility of governance. The present administration has victimizing Ndigbo enough and it has to stop.
We demand for the immediate unconditional release of Obi Iyiegbu and warn the EFCC to stop insulting the sensibility of the Igbo Nation.
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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