Crisis is brewing at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ABUCCI) over corrupt and indiscriminate withdrawals and spending of Chamber funds running into millions of naira.
Concerned members of the Chamber had in a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Inspector General of Police, dated 14 July 2015, asked the commission to investigate the activities of top executives of the Chamber.
Copies of the letters jointly signed by Kola Olayode, Ajibose Sheriff and other members, made available to Daily Trust, said those to be investigated include President of the Chamber Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye, the 1st Deputy President Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, 2ndDeputy President Alh. Dr Abubakar Al-Mujtaba.
Others include: Vice President (Legal) Barr. Emeka Obegolu; VP (Finance) Mr Osi Imomoh; VP (Industry) Engr.Taiwo Oluseyi and the Director General Sir J. I.Wenegiene among other exco members.
The concerned members accused president of the Chamber Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye and some exco members of acquiring properties worth N25.3million in the name of the chamber from one Mulligan Enterprises without proper and lawful procurement procedures on April 2015.
They also alleged that the president and some exco members in April engaged the services of New Crystal Communications Limited for the fabrication and installations of several communication devices valued at N8.7 million without due process.
They also, in the petition, detailed series of illicit contracts the president and some exco members entered in the name of the Chamber with phony companies to the tune of over N50 million, all as a means of siphoning the Chamber’s funds.
It was learnt that series of meetings and demands to halt all capital expenses were never headed by the president and his cabal. Rather, the president, in what was termed an anomaly, dismissed the Director General of the Chamber Mr J.I Wenegieme on sensing information about Chamber activities were being leaked by him.
A copy of the dismissal letter dated 13 July 2015 and other chambers correspondence seen by Daily Trust indicated that the sack which angered Chamber officials was perpetrated after the embattled president purportedly altered some articles in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Chamber without the approval of members.
Daily Trust learnt that a special meeting has been scheduled for Saturday by some concerned members.
The meeting which is in line with Article 18 of the Articles of Association of the Chamber is to address the looming crisis at the chamber. They have also sent a letter to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, requesting security at the venue of the meeting.
However, it was learnt that the president is making frantic efforts to block the meeting, sending text messages to members to disregard the meeting.
Efforts to reach the president was not successful but the VP (Industry) Engr.Taiwo Oluseyi, who is also accused of being part of the fraud, told our reporter on phone that while his accusers cannot be rubbished the excos likewise should not be judged to have stolen.
He confirmed knowledge of the meeting but said he would not attend because it was not sanctioned by the exco.