By Akpos Oghenetega,
The Saniko community in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, has impeached its President General, Engr. Vote Iboyi, over allegations of fraud, embezzlement of community funds well over N1.7 million, high handedness and gross misconduct.
The decision to impeach Iboyi came after he failed to satisfactorily explain why he had not called any meetings or held the annual community conference to account for his leadership since taking office in 2021. This was during a meeting held on Monday 30th day of September, 2024 where community elders and leaders questioned his stewardship.
Dissatisfied with his explanation and plea for more time to repay the community funds he embezzled; a follow-up meeting was convened on Tuesday 1st October 2024 at the community town hall. At this meeting, the community elders, leaders, youths, and women unanimously voted to impeach and remove Iboyi as the community president. He was replaced by his Vice President, Mr. Anthony Obiunu, who will serve as Acting President.
Prominent community leaders who endorsed the motion for Iboyi’s impeachment included Hon. Roland Oyibo Esq, Chief Mathew Ogheneovo, Mathew Onyeme, Shell German, David Okpukpuru (Youth President), and Charles Ikeneghe (Community Secretary). Additional support came from Akpubi Richard, Owin Iboyi, Emomejere Onovaye, Onovughe Irerhievwie, Otueshareamre Amuanamwa, Vero Esakpome (Women’s Leader), and others.
Community leaders outlined several offences committed by Engr. Iboyi, including his failure to call an annual community conference since December 9, 2021, as required by the community’s constitution. He also failed to hold the mandatory monthly community meetings and was accused of unilaterally signing Freedom to Operate (FTO) agreements with contractors without consulting his executive team or community leaders, particularly the community secretary.
In addition, Iboyi was accused of embezzling N1.5 million in one instance, followed by another N250,000 and N100,000 in separate transactions and other monies. The community also alleged that, under Iboyi’s leadership, the community had not maintained a bank account and did not have any money to credit the community anywhere.
It was further alleged that Scholarship opportunities provided by Heritage Energy Oil Services Ltd, Umu-Gini Oil and NPDC, typically awarded based on exams, were reportedly distributed arbitrarily by Iboyi without consultation or examination for qualified students.
"He equally singlehandedly signs Freedom To Operate (FTO) to contractors without the knowledge of his executive, and the community leaders, particularly the community Secretary whom he signed for. The money paid by these contractors is not accounted for, and he embezzles them, without consulting anyone and informing any leader, including his executive members.
"If he is writing any letters that are going outside the community, he writes them by himself, puts the name of the Secretary Mr Charles Ikeneghe and without his consent signs for both of them.
"Recently, he embezzled community fund, #1.5m in one tranche, #270,000 and #100,000 in another tranche and since he assumed office, the community has not been operating any account with any bank.
"Every year, Heritage Energy Oil Services Ltd and NPDC give our community scholarships both for secondary and university students, dates were normally announced for students to write qualifying exams at the community hall, after which the best students are selected and forwarded to the company, however, since Engr Iboyi took over leadership, he picks and chooses those he gives the scholarship slots to without any written exams or consulting the leaders or his executive.”
Iboyi requested a one-month suspension to allow him to repay the N1.7 million, but the community rejected his plea. He attended Tuesday's meeting, where the decision to impeach him was finalized but did not stay till the end.
He was further accused of requesting a GMU fund of N10.4 million for 2021 under false pretences. When the community suggested using the funds to purchase a 300KVA transformer for the community, Iboyi refused insisting that he would use the money N10. 4m to purchase 20 electric poles, which led to the withholding of the funds.
Following hours of deliberation, the community leaders, including representatives from women’s and youth groups, unanimously voted to remove Iboyi from office.
Saniko community leaders have notified companies operating in the area, including NPDC, Heritage Energy Oil Services Ltd, PIA BOT OML 30 Uherevie Trust, PIA BOT OML26, Umu-Gini Oil Company, Community Development Community (CDC) Owevwe, and others, to cease dealing with Iboyi on behalf of the community. All correspondence should now be directed to the Acting President Mr. Anthony Obiunu and Secretary Charles Ikeneghe, pending when a new election will be held.
When contacted for his reaction to his impeachment, Engr Vote Iboyi said that his purported impeachment was illegal as those who carried out the actions don't have such powers to remove him from office because they were not the ones who elected him into office in the first place.
He explained that the Saniko community has two quarters, and the quarter which he represents and who has the power to remove him are solidly behind him, warning those behind his impeachment not to take the laws into their hands to avoid a crisis that could lead to death, arson and distribution of properties.
According to him, "That is illegal impeachment, we have two quarters in Saniko community, the Uwewve quarters that are trying to impeach me are jot the people that elected me, my people have agreed that I shouldn't complete my tenor which will end, in a year and 3 months, after that they can choose a president from their quarters, outside that, their actions are illegal.
While calling for caution, he said, "We should not instigate crisis in the community, when someone dies it can't come back, they want to take people's lives and burn the community."
