News
N109.9m scandal rocks National Orthopaedic Hospital Staff Co-operative in Enugu
A total of N109.9 million deposited by staffers of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, in a business venture by its cooperative, ‘National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu Staff Co-operative Thrift and Loans Society limited (NOHESCT&LS Ltd)’, have been embezzled or misappropriated by those elected to oversee its affairs.
Report by News Express revealed that since the election of the current executive in July 9th 2015, under a special general meeting (SGM) led by Engr. Philip Ugwuonah and Uchenna Odo, President and secretary respectively, they have been saddled with the task of recovering the missing fund.
Determined to unravel how the monies belonging to the Society went down the drain, the entire members of the Co-operative decided to audit its account as managed by the past executive members from 2011 to 2015 in its inaugural general meeting held on the 19th day of August 2015.
It was gathered that upon the decision of the congress that one Mr. Basil Udeh and the Auditing firm of “Full Length Consult” was appointed to audit the internal operation of the cooperative and banking transaction of the business venture respectively through the state director cooperative society in accordance with the law.
At the conclusion of the internal operations audit, the External Auditor uncovered fraud and misappropriation of the sum of N107,933,082 by past executive of the cooperative.
According to the audit report of the banking operations of the Cooperative accounts, in Stanbic IBTC and Skye banks, a copy News Express obtained, shows that the past executive members in their tenure collaborated with the banks to defraud the Cooperative Society to the sum of N64,049,688.12 and N30,576,415.96 respectively; totaling N94,626,104.
Further investigation revealed that 213 plots of land purchased under the immediate past executives, which were handled by a land committee, one Ezeokoli Felix and Ekpa Chukwuma Ekpoto, chairman and secretary respectively was inconclusive.
The activities of the committee were said to have been uncovered with irregularities as no member of the Cooperative Society who was a beneficiary could access his/her plot of land from 2012 when it was purchased till date.
“Upon the audit report and irregularities in the management of the 213 plots of land by the committee, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was invited by the present administration upon approval by the general house to investigate and sanitise the system.
“However, through the intervention of ICPC, the Society has recovered the said land from the vendor, registered same in the name of the Cooperative Society as No. 78 page 78 in volume 1695 Deed Registry Enugu.”
Also, through the help of ICPC, N10 million is currently being recovered from the said land committee, which they are paying one million Naira every month as they have agreed but without prosecution. “This N10 million was discovered as money misappropriated by the committee through its report captioned “report of land committee of Staff Co-operative, Thrift and Loan Society National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu”.
The Cooperative Society reported the embezzlement and misappropriation of N109.9 million by the former executive and trustees to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a petition dated 10th of August 2017 and signed Barr. Emeka Abah, counsel to the Thrift Society.
The staff who were former trustees of the cooperative society are Etukodo Ibanga, President; Ochi Godwin, Vice President; Ilo Nkechi, Secretary, Aguoha Chinwe, Treasurer and Asuquo Tom Emmanuel, Financial Secretary.
According to Abah of the Emmanuel Chambers, New Haven, Enugu, the above mentioned staff who were their trustees, allegedly misappropriated the sum of one hundred and seven million, nine hundred and thirty-three thousand, eighty two naira, N107,933,082.00 while in office and want EFCC to investigate them with the aim of recovering the said loot.
In the letter captioned, “Petition for fraud, misappropriation, and embezzlement of N107,933,082.00 (one hundred and seven million, nine hundred and thirty three thousand, eight two Naira) executives of National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu Cooperative, Thrift and Loan Society, Enugu,” written to the Zonal Head, EFCC, South-East Zonal office, Enugu, the society wants a thorough investigation of the said staff.
“That the said trustees fraudulently managed their affair during their tenure in office, withdrawing money(s) via cheques and such money(s) withdrawn were higher than the amount written in the cheque stubs;
“Some cheques were written and turn out of the cheque booklets but were not found in the statement of account of the cooperative society; the sum of N5,513,520, five million, five hundred and thirteen thousand, five hundred and twenty Naira only, were padded in the course of the above exercise.”
In order to get to the root of the matter, the organisation urged the EFCC to do justice to the allegation.
“We, therefore, urge you to use your good office to investigate the aforementioned and or former trustees for the alleged offences stated herein,” the petition reads.
When contacted for their reaction on the allegation, the former President, Etukodo Ibanga, said the matter has been taken to court, and as such, cannot make any comment.
Source: News Express
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has congratulated Christians in Nigeria on this year’s Easter celebration, and urged them to emulate the noble qualities of Jesus Christ.
The company, in a goodwill message to the Christian faithful in the country, lauded their perseverance through the Lenten period which preceded Easter. It enjoined them to always promote the ideals of selflessness, love and peace among all as a way of demonstrating the virtues of the exemplary life of Jesus Christ.
“Peace, love and sacrifice are the central message of Easter. Christ offered himself in atonement for the sins of the world and he lived a life which made Him an eternal symbol of peace and goodwill for mankind”, Globacom added.
The company enjoined all Nigerians to share in the lessons of promoting selflessness, a necessary ingredient in the growth and development of every society. It also enjoined all Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria a better place for all.
Easter is celebrated yearly at the end of the Lenten season of fasting and prayer considered as a ritual of purification for the Christian faithful. It also precedes the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His eventual resurrection on Easter Sunday.
The company assured its customers of seamless voice, data and Short Messaging Service (SMS) during and after the Easter celebrations, while urging them to avail themselves of the various data and voice offerings on the network.
The Guild of Private Broadcast Managers has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Guild’s National President, Ambassador Patrick Uzoyi-Peters, JP MNGRM, the guild described the milestone as a testament to the NUJ’s unwavering commitment to upholding press freedom, journalistic integrity, and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
“For seven decades, the NUJ has played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape, advocating for the rights and welfare of journalists, and ensuring that the voice of the people remains strong and unyielding. Your resilience, professionalism, and dedication to ethical journalism have been instrumental in fostering transparency, accountability, and national development”.
Celebrating this historic achievement, the Guild’s President, Uzoyi-Peters recognized the sacrifices and contributions of journalists across the nation who work tirelessly to inform, educate, and empower society.
The Guild reiterated it commitment towards collaborating with the NUJ in promoting responsible journalism and strengthening the media industry for the greater good.
While wishing the NUJ continued success, growth, and greater impact in the years ahead, President Uzoyi-Peters prayed that the anniversary serve as a renewed call to uphold the principles of truth, fairness, and press freedom in our collective pursuit of a more informed and just society.
News
Family Marks one-year Memorial of Late APC Chieftain, Ojougboh with Charity Outreach
By Ikenna Oluka
The family of the late chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, led by his wife, Mrs. Bose Ojougboh, marked his one-year memorial anniversary with a series of charitable initiatives aimed at honoring his legacy of philanthropy and service to society.
The memorial activities included the donation of school books and bags to pupils of Erigbe Primary School, in Agbor within the Ika South Local Government Area (LGA) of Delta State, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education.
The outreach also included extension of financial assistance to patients at Central Hospital, Agbor, and the provision of toiletries, cash, and food items to children at the Salve Regina Children’s Home, Agbor.
The outreach was carried out under the ‘Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation’, a family-led initiative established to immortalise him and continue his lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Speaking during the event which took place recently, Mrs. Ojougboh reaffirmed the family’s dedication to sustaining the ideals of the late APC chieftain, describing him as a man who strongly believed in education and giving back to society.
“We are here to celebrate the life of my husband, Late Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, who passed on a year ago. In his honour, we decided to give back to society. He was a man who valued education and was always willing to help others. It is only fitting that we continue his legacy through acts of generosity,” she stated.
Honouring his passion for education
The first visit was to Erigbe Primary School, where Dr. Ojougboh had received his early education. The Foundation distributed school bags, writing materials, and food packs to the pupils. The family encouraged the pupils to take their education seriously and strive to become responsible citizens.
Supporting patients at Central Hospital, Agbor
At Central Hospital, Agbor, Mrs. Ojougboh and her entourage moved through the medical wards, offering financial support to patients to assist with their treatment costs. The hospital staff and beneficiaries responded with prayers and words of gratitude for the kind gesture.
Reaching out to orphaned children
The outreach team also visited Salve Regina Children’s Home in Agbor where they donated cash, food items, and toiletries to the children.
The Matron of the home expressed her deep appreciation to the Ojougboh family, commending their commitment to sustaining the late politician’s legacy of compassion and social impact.
Dr. Cairo Ojougboh’s enduring legacy
Reflecting on her late husband’s contributions to society, Mrs. Ojougboh emphasised that his legacy of generosity and service to humanity would not be forgotten.
“Dr. Cairo was a selfless man who touched many lives. His contributions to the Nigerian political landscape, his mark in Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, and the country at large, will always be remembered. He may be gone, but his impact will continue to be felt for generations,” she said.
The Dr. Cairo Ojougboh Foundation has pledged to continue supporting education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in his memory, ensuring that his vision for a better society lives on.
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