Orsu Leaders Demand Immediate Removal, Probe Of Council Chairman Over Alleged Misappropriation Of LG Funds Akaolisa: “Ibekaeme Contradicts Uzodimma’s Fight Against Corruption”

Orsu Leaders Demand Immediate Removal, Probe Of Council Chairman Over Alleged Misappropriation Of LG Funds

Akaolisa: “Ibekaeme Contradicts Uzodimma’s Fight Against Corruption”

 

By Onyekachi Eze

 

Stakeholders and leaders of Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State have called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to immediately remove the Executive Chairman of the council, Mr. Friday Ibekaeme, from office, alleging reckless use of public resources and failure to deliver meaningful development to the people.

 

The demand was made on Friday, August 14, 2026, by the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State and leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Orsu Local Government Area, Barrister C.O.C. Akaolisa, during a press briefing in Owerri.

 

Akaolisa, who said he was speaking on behalf of Orsu stakeholders and leaders, commended Governor Uzodimma for standing with the people of Orsu at a difficult period, while also applauding the people of the area for their resilience and continued efforts to restore peace and stability.

 

He, however, expressed concern that while the people of Orsu were making concerted efforts to reduce tension and confront insecurity, the administration of the local government had allegedly been enmeshed in actions capable of further undermining confidence in the council.

 

According to him, Orsu leaders had repeatedly summoned and advised the council chairman over issues surrounding the management of the local government, but their interventions were allegedly ignored.

 

Akaolisa disclosed that nine out of the 11 members of the Orsu Legislative Council had signed an impeachment notice against the chairman, describing the action as a proactive step taken by the councillors in response to allegations against the council administration.

 

He therefore appealed to Governor Uzodimma to respect the decision of the legislative council and act in accordance with the wishes of the people of Orsu.

 

“The Orsu legislative council has done its job. We are only asking the Governor to honour the impeachment notice,” Akaolisa said.

 

He maintained that if the allegations against the chairman were established to be true, there would be no justification for allowing him to remain in office.

 

The APC leader alleged that despite the chairman having spent about two years in office, the level of development in the local government remained unsatisfactory, contrary giant strides his colleagues from other LGAs have attained.

 

He further accused Ibekaeme of allegedly investing local government resources in private-oriented projects, rather than concentrating on projects within his statutory mandate that would directly improve the welfare of Orsu residents.

 

Akaolisa also challenged the chairman’s reported claim that the local government had not been receiving the allocations due to it, arguing that such claims should be subjected to transparent investigation.

 

The former Attorney-General called for the constitution of an independent panel of inquiry to investigate the allegations surrounding the management of Orsu Local Government Area.

 

He also urged the Commissioner of Police to deploy the appropriate fraud investigation unit to the council, while calling on relevant anti-corruption agencies to commence investigations into the allegations.

 

Akaolisa insisted that public funds must be deployed strictly for public purposes and should never be diverted for private interests.

 

“Public money should remain for the public, and not for private use,” he declared.

He also rejected any suggestion that his intervention was politically motivated, stressing that his record in public office demonstrated his commitment to financial accountability.

 

According to him, during his tenure as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, he left about N25 million naira in the Law Reform account, insisting that he could therefore not be associated with irregularities or misappropriation of public funds.

 

Akaolisa further argued that the administration of Governor Uzodimma had demonstrated a disposition against corruption, noting that public officials within the government had previously faced arrest and investigation over alleged infractions.

 

He consequently questioned why the Orsu council chairman should remain in office if the allegations contained in the impeachment notice are established.

 

The Orsu APC leader urged other leaders against any attempt to return Ibekaeme to the council pending the resolution of the allegations and impeachment proceedings, saying such a move could create tension and potentially lead to a breakdown of law and order.

 

He said the position of the stakeholders was not intended to create political crisis but to protect the integrity of the local government system and ensure accountability in the management of public resources.

 

Akaolisa urged Governor Uzodimma to carefully examine the situation and take appropriate action in the interest of peace, accountability and good governance.

 

He said Orsu people were looking up to the Governor to ensure that the matter was handled transparently and in accordance with the law.

The APC leader also warned that allegations against elected public officers should not be dismissed as political disagreements without proper investigation, insisting that the appropriate anti-graft and investigative bodies should be allowed to establish the facts.

 

He reaffirmed the support of Orsu stakeholders for efforts aimed at restoring peace and development to the area, stressing that what the people need at this critical period is responsible leadership, accountability and purposeful governance.

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