Tension As Legal Practitioner Petitions Nwifuru, Calls For Sack Ofebonyi Chairman Of Pcacc
A Legal Practitioner and Member of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, Ebonyi State, Barr Chukwuorji Igodo yesterday petitioned Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State over some of the anomalies currently bedevilling the Commission, including the alleged incompetence and lack of qualification of the Commission's Executive Chairman, Hon. Sabinus Nwankwegu.
In a petition titled "Petition for the removal of Hon. Sabinus Nwankwegu, Executive Chairman of Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, PCACC, Ebonyi State, the Petitioner urged Governor Nwifuru to remove Hon. Nwankwegu as Chairman of the Commission and replace him with a more competent and qualified individual from Ebonyi Local Government Area of the State.
He highlighted non-qualification, incapability, inefficiency, maladministration and financial impropriety as some of the defects of the present Executive Chairman of the Commission.
According to the Petition, "I bring to your attention the several grave concerns regarding his tenure, as outlined in the (PCACC) LAW.
"Non Qualification (S.4 of PCACC Law) I assert that Hon. Sabinus
Nwankwegu does not meet the qualification stipulated in section 4 of the PCACC law, raising serious questions about his eligibility for the position.
"It is injustice to allow Hon. Sabinus Nwankwegu to continue to occupy the position of the chairman, against the provisions of the PCACC Law. It is more unjust, watching someone who is in continuous disobedience of the law, sitting to decide the fate of another person who is allegedly, disobedient to the same law.
"It is torture for the men of conscience and officers of the temple of justice appointed into the commission to sit and watch such illegality, perpetually.
"Incapacity: There are alarming indications of incapacity in executing the responsibilities associated with the role of Executive Chairman, negatively impacting the effectiveness of the PCACC in combating corruption and addressing public complaints.
"Allowing Hon. Sabinus Nwankwegu to continue being the executive chairman of PCACC, Your Excellency is the case of forcing a rabbit to lead a troupe of lions. The lions will be defeated even before the war starts as the rabbit is likely going to surrender to the adversary. It is even better for a lion to lead a squad of rabbits and victory will be assured.
"The inefficiency observed in the operations of the PCACC under Hon. Sabinus Nwakwegu’s leadership has compromised the commission’s ability to deliver on its mandate. This inefficiency poses a threat to the pursuit of justice and erodes public trust.
This also stems from his non-qualification ab-initio.
"Your Excellency, there are a lot of corruption and malpractices going on in different markets within the state, especially in the area of revenue collection and generation, where unidentified persons collect these monies without authorization and not remit to government, etc and yet the Commission is adamant to it. That is the highest level of inefficiency.
"Moreover,this is a year of our assumption of office and the Commission have not concluded or prosecuted even a single matter. The Chairman is lost and completely clueless about what steps to take. Someone in the class of those prescribed by the enabling law will know better sir.
"Instances of maladministration have come to light indicating a lack of proper governance and administrative oversight. This not only undermines the credibility of the PCACC but also jeopardizes its crucial role in maintaining ethical standards.
"The Chairman has taken up the Secretary’s role, abandoning his own Chairmanship duties, divided the members amongst themselves and what you now have is a battered Commission with no coherence or leadership.
"Concerns have been raised regarding financial impropriety within the PCACC, with evidence pointing to questionable financial practices under Hon. Sabinus Nwankwegu’s watch. Such improprieties erode the public’s confidence in the Commission’s ability t uphold transparency and accountability.
"The Chairman cannot account for what happens to our monthly allowance. He approves expenditures for himself and spends same, making personal donations in events and redeeming it with Commission’s fund. The Commission has remained redundant since January on the instructions of the Chairman that no meeting should be called or held while he is sick and away.
"Unilaterally approving and applying the Commission’s funds for his medical bills.
While he lacks the requisite knowledge and experience of the operations of an Anti- corruption Commission, he denies reputable members experienced in the operations of Anti- Corruption Commission, from contributing to issues or applying their experiences to the issues. Till date he has refused to accept the existence of differences between the house of Assembly and an Anti-corruption Commission.
"Your Excellency is requested to initiate a thorough investigation into these matters and take appropriate actions including the removal of Hon. Sabinus Nwankwegu from the position of Executive Chairman of PCACC. Re-assigning him to an area of his core competence and bringing a better qualified individual from Ebonyi Local Government Area as his replacement as the law provides.
"Upholding the principles of transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law is paramount for the effective functioning of our state institutions.
"I trust in your commitment to ensuring the welfare and good governance of Ebonyi State and believe that prompt action in this regard will contribute to the restoration of public confidence in the PCACC."
In a telephone interview, the Executive Chairman of PCACC , Ebonyi State, Hon. Sabinus Nwankwegu who explained that was sick and could not address issues rounding the petition added that he will address the press at the appropriate time.