body-container-line-1
28.02.2010 Nigeria

Why the Court should make an example of Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha

28.02.2010 LISTEN
By Kenneth Uwadi

Notable Politicians in Imo State have described Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha, the man who alleged that the Imo state governor flogged him as a liar and blackmailer that deserves to go to jail. Iwuoha not only lied but also tried to blackmail Ohakim, with the view to extorting money from him. Well, the matter is now in court. I believe that the court is the best place to deal with the matter. That one is blessed with fingers for writing does not mean that one should write nonsense in the name of freedom of expression. Mr Iwuoha should know that we have laws in Nigeria for which every individual in Nigeria should abide to. We have libel laws and sedition laws. Sedition is a term of law which refers to overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority as tending toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent (or resistance) to lawful authority. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the laws. Seditious words in writing are seditious libel. A seditionist is one who engages in or promotes the interests of sedition. Sedition is the stirring up of rebellion against the government in power. Making false allegation is a criminal offence.

One is meant to know that Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha has been charged to court by the police to prove his allegations against Ohakim. He was charged in the Magistrate's Court of Imo State, Owerri Magisterial District, on eight counts. One of the counts said that Samuelson Iwuoha, “on the 13th day of November, 2009, published and exhibited on the Internet and through national newspapers, to the effect that Ikedi Ohakim uses Lemmy Akakem to loot the resources of Imo State by awarding his construction company inflated contracts.” In another count, Samuelson alleged that Ikedi Ohakim conspired with Ruodo Nig. Ltd to defraud Imo State government through inflated contracts. Samuelson said the height of this robbery attack on Imo State and her citizens is the award of contract to Ruodo Nig. Ltd. to “dredge” Nworie River at a frightening cost of N8billion in March 2009 with over 50 percent of this sum already paid to Tony Chukwu as mobilization.

It is ridiculous and mischievous for anyone to talk about the dredging of Nworie River in that manner. This is a project, which the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is undertaking. The project is in the Commission's 2010 budget.Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha has insulted every Imo state man with his too many false allegations against the Imo state governor. This too many character assassination and blackmail against our governor by this street boy can never be erased from my memory. It is a thing of anger, hot bitter anger. Let him give us prove about all his allegations in court and if he can't, jail should be his portion.

But who is this Samuelson Iwuoha that is spreading these entire fabrications against the Imo state governor? I understand that he is a street boy without a profession. He is not even a journalist. We are told that he hawks kerosene on the streets of Ikenegbu Layout, Owerri and that his makeshift shop, an illegal structure, was demolished by ENTRACO officials. That was how he fully made himself a willing tool in the hands of disgruntled politicians.

One might ask why some persons want Ohakim out of power and why they are using all manner of device to see if they can achieve their selfish desire. They want Ohakim out of power because Ohakim does not support the operation loot Imo state of this business as usual politicians. These evil politicians want Ohakim to work furiously and dishonestly against the wish of Imo people, tender kill and divide contracts so as to loot Imo state. They think we don't know all this. Rather than support their loot system, Ohakim choose to use Imo state resources to develop Imo state and this have irk these greedy politicians and so they want him out by all means.2011 is around the corner and these desperados want Ohakim dethroned so that they can enthrone someone who can agree to their loot Imo State agenda.

Ohakim is known as a people's welfare conscious governor. Not only peoples welfare conscious governor, he is regarded as one of the best governors in the country. He ensures the welfare of the common man in his style of leadership and carries the people along. No wonder the masses are singing his praise.

If the court finds Samuelson Iwuoha guilty, he should be sent to jail. I know they will find him guilty for i can tell you, without equivocation, that the allegations are nonsensical. Iwuoha deserves to be sent to prison with hard labour for his high powered conspiracy against the progress of Imo State. Ohakim's commitment to the improvement of Imo state is very glaring and he does not deserve all these smear campaign.No department of life have not been favorably touched in Imo state. I join all other well meaning Ndi Imo to say 'ride on sir, Ndi-Imo so gi na azu'

-Kenneth Uwadi writes from Mmahu –Egbema, Imo State

body-container-line