Revealed: Alleged Diversion Of Govt. Funds At Imo Drivers Data Capturing, Painting Unit

…Ukawunne (Obowo) Kingsley Nwachukwu Accused

…more than ₦400m allegedly missing

An uneasy storm is building up at the Office of Imo City Transport (Security, Data Capture and Painting) over a scandal centered on diversion of Imo government funds from the State Treasury Single Account (TSA) and stealing of vehicles belonging to commercial bus drivers.

This was revealed after Imo Niger Delta Transporters Association petitioned State House of Assembly to investigate activities of the Imo State Committee Chairman and Members of Security Data Capture and Painting, led by one Mr. Ukawune Anaelechi popularly known as Obowo and his Second-In-Command, Mr Kingsley Nwachukwu (Akuroulo).

In the petition signed by Comrade Okonji Daniel, BOT Chairman of the group and addressed to the Speaker, Imo State House of Assembly through the Committee Chairman on Transport led by Hon.Sam Osuji, the Imo State House of Assembly, IMHA, member representing Isiala-Mbano State Constituency, revealed how over four hundred million naira was diverted by the Security Data Capture and Painting Committee members appointed by the State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

It is recalled that the Data Capturing and Painting Committee was inaugurated by the State Government for a sole interest of ensuring safety and security of Imo commercial drivers and passengers, but its purpose seemed  to have been defeated as allegedly corrupt personalities in Imo transport system hijacked the policy to harass and extort funds from taxi drivers with the aide of some government authorities in the Ministry of Transport and Imo Government House in Owerri.

A copy of the petition sighted by our correspondent revealed that a sum of 45,000 (Forty Five Thousand Naira) collected from over fifteen thousand (15,000) captured vehicles was not remitted to the State account (TSA) by the Members of the Committee.

It was revealed that the Chairman of the Committee, Mr.Ukawune Anaelechi, who is from Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State allegedly converted 12 (twelve) stolen vehicles recovered by the team to his personal use, against the directive of the State Government.

In the petition dated Nov. 28th 2023, received by Imo House of Assembly Transport Committee Clerk, the Niger Delta Transporters urged the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, to review the appointment of Ukawune Anaelechi, Kingsley Nwachukwu and others who were allegedly involved in the fraud.

Meanwhile, a copy of the petition titled, ”Complaints On The Activities Of The Committee Chairman and members of Security Data Capturing and Painting” was presented at the hallow chamber of Imo State House of Assembly on 14th December, 2023 and later referred to the House Committee on Transport.

However, all efforts made to hear from the duo accused persons, Obowo and Akuroulo on their telephone lines proved worthless as they failed to connect their lines, but the IMHA Standing Committee On Transport, Hon. Sam Osuji, who was connected on telephone to speak on the petition sent to his office, said “Please, I can’t comment on that issue right now because I am not truly feeling well as at the time of filing this report”.

Source ThePressman