A foremost traditional ruler in Edo State, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella in Etsako East Local Government Area of the state, HRM, Michael Sado, was on Wednesday arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of financial impropriety.
Arrested alongside the first-class traditional ruler was an alleged accomplice, one Patrick Omkhagbo.
The arrest of the duo was a fallout of a petition written to the Benin Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency by the Ukhomuyo Council of Village Heads in the area through their counsel, A. O. Osagie & Associates.
In the petition, the Ukhomuyo Council of Village Heads accused the traditional ruler of allegedly converting the entire Ukhomuyio community into his personal estate by allegedly collecting huge sums of money due to the community from the natural resources in the area into his personal account.
They also accused him of disrespecting the people and usurping the constitutional powers of the Edo State government.
The money in contention, Tribune Online gathered, came from the royalties paid by the two giant cement companies operating in the Okepella Kingdom, a Confederation of several communities and lineages.
The petitioners also alleged that the Okuokpellagbe breached the subsisting Community Development Agreement (CDA) between the Okpella Cement Plc. (Dangote Cement) and Ukhumuniyo Community.
The said agreement, the Council of Village Heads claimed, was negotiated and drawn from the provisions of Section 116 of the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act 2007.
According to the petitioners, “In the said Community Development Agreement (CDA), it was clearly stated that the Host Mineral Producing Community (Ukhumuniyo Community), where the mining activities of Okpella Cement Pic (Dangote Cement) are carried out, shall be entitled to certain sums of monies, wherein the sum of N250, 000, 000, 00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira only) be paid annually to the Host Community, which is Ukhomuyio.”
However, contrary to the terms of the agreement, and without recourse to the subsisting agreement, another bank account was opened by the traditional ruler with the name of Okpella Community Development, in which he is alleged to be the sole signatory to it.
“Sir, as we write you, our clients have been pleading with members and Youths of Ukhomunyio Community, Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, of Edo State, not to be involved in any violent conduct, as the “Suspect” is threatening that he will cause intra-communal warfare in Okpella Community, if our clients escalate his alleged Financial Crimes.
“Insecurity is commonplace in Okpella Community, and the threats to cause intra-communal warfare should not be taken with kid gloves or as a mere hollow statement.
“We implore you to invite, arrest and prosecute the Suspects and other Complicit Staff of the Dangote Cement Pic, Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, as their activities does (sic) not only have the elements of various economic crimes but it is a call to anarchy and lawlessness in the society.”
A source in the Benin Zonal office of the EFCC, who pleaded anonymity, while confirming the arrest of the duo, said that while “their arrest remains a routine practice based on the petition against them, the outcome of their interrogation will determine the next step to be taken.”
As of the time of filing this report, the traditional ruler and his alleged accomplice were still being held at the EFCC facility in Benin City.