Ikot Obio Inyang community in Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, has stripped its village head, Chief Emem Akpan, of his position over alleged fraudulent activities.
The community ordered that Chief Akpan be handed over to the police over claims that he sabotaged the water project provided by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In a 14-point resolution by Ikot Obio Inyang Development Association (IKODA), signed by its President, Mr Enefiok Umoh, and 89 other community members, the community said a police report of February 17, 2020, indicted the village head for vandalism.
The community alleged that the dethroned village head removed the solar pump controller, solar panel and other components, from the water facility and sold them, adding that he used the money for his personal benefit.
They said the village head carried out the activities without the knowledge and approval of the village council and community, and passed a vote of no confidence on his leadership.
They insisted that Chief Akpan would plunge the village into hardship if he remains their head, noting that he ceased being the village head of Ikot Obio Inyang since December 26, 2020.
“Chief Emem Okon Akpan collected compensation for Ekom Iman-Etinan road due for Ikot Obio Inyang people, and never gave to the rightful beneficiaries.
“If Chief Emem Okon continues ruling as the village head of Ikot Obio Inyang, the community would meet an irredeemable and untold hardship in all spheres of the community life. Enough is enough!
“The entire men, women, youths and social groups in Ikot Obio Inyang passed a vote of no confidence on Chief Emem Okon Akpan.
“Chief Emem Okon Akpan should be handed over to the police to face his pending cases and criminal prosecution,” the community said.
When contacted, Chief Emem Akpan said his purported sack by Ikot Obio Inyang Development Association was not valid.
He declared that the association ought to have consulted and got the endorsement of family heads.
He stated that even the headed paper used to announce his sack was not that of the village council, adding that it invalidated the decision against him.
“They are not members of the village council, but opposition. That is why you did not see any of the family heads sign the letter, and that is why they did not also use the headed paper of the village council.
“They are politicians, their position is not valid,” he said.
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