88 billion

From Lateef Taiwo

Survivors of Nigerian/Biafra War have cried out over the alleged embezzlement of a whopping #88 billion, paid as compensation to veterans, victims and next of kins of the war.

In a petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), signed by the former Military Attache to Gen. Patrick Hannibal Achuzia and current chairman of Veterans Farmers Association Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd., Hon. Major Charles Okechukwu, the umbrella body of the survivors accused the erstwhile chairman of the body, Dr. Emeka Ukaegbu and cohorts for embezzling the funds meant to be disbursed to the war victims and survivors.

“Upon the adjudication on the case brought before the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice against the Nigerian Government, our representatives met with the federal government and resolved to settle the matter amicably on terms acceptable to both.

“Out of the said judgement sum of #88Billion, #50 Billion was paid into Chief Noel Agwuocha Chukwukadibia UBA Account, who was the sirvivors” beneficiary lawyer at court, hired by Dr. Emeka Sam Ukaegbu, while the balance of #38 Billion was paid into another UBA Account Deminers Concept Nig. Ltd.”

“Dr. Emeka Sam Ukaegbu working in concert with the States Coordinators of the beneficiaries umbrella body, decided to put modalities in place to facilitate easy identification and payment of the compensation to the veterans and victims.

“To this extent, a five (5) man member Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) Committee was inaugurated to oversee the equitable disbursement of the funds among victims veterans and other beneficiaries”, the petitioner explained.

Curiously, five years after the comprehensive and diligent verification exercise of registered victims, veterans and their next of kin, preparatory to disbursement of the compensation funds, Dr. Emeka Ukaegbu and Chief Noel Agwuocha Chukwukadibia refused to release the survivors money.

To this end, all the State Coordinators (of beneficiaries of the war compensation) resolved in a meeting in Anambra State and passed a vote of no confidence on Dr. Emeka Sam Ukaegbu, culminating in his removal as chairman of the body.

“Presently, there’s no Veteran now that is less than 70 years. Most of them are dying. We appeal that you use your good office in disbursing of this funds so that the remaining Veterans, Victims and next of kins alive could enjoy the government compensation before they pass on to greater glory”, the petition added.