Embattled Ughelli North Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Jaro Egbo, has threatened legal actions against the Delta State Government and one Mr. Ovoke Akpobasa over allegations of gross financial misappropriations, corruption, abuse of power and high handedness levelled against him.
Egbo who is currently at a logger head with his immediate family of Uduere community over an alleged financial misappropriation, disrespect for community elders, attempt to circumvent laid down community leadership positions, imposition of candidates against tradition, honesty and accountability, said during a press briefing he convened on Monday, May 19, 2025, in part of his address that;
“If the campaign by Mr. Akpobasa persist, I reserve the right to pursue legal action against his employer, the Delta State Government and Mr. Ovoke Akpobasa in my personal capacity.”
Jaro Egbo whose tenure has being alleged to be oppressive, inconsiderate, violent and corrupt by indigenes and residents of Ughelli town, is currently being accused of awarding juicy contracts to a company where he is alleged to be one of the directors. He was also accused by his Abovwe family of Uduere community of alleged inability to give proper financial account of electricity funds handed to him by the community and also converting acres of lands that belong to the family to his personal property. He was also accused of high handedness, disrespect for elders, violent and corrupt.
Reacting to all these allegations, Egbo says it all false and unfounded. He stated during a briefing that, “It has become imperative to address the recent wave of false, malicious, and unfounded allegations being circulated by Sahara Reporters and other online media platforms regarding the purported award of government contracts to Skyviaro Properties Development Company Limited.
“Let it be unequivocally stated that Skyviaro Properties Development Company Limited is not a registered contractor with the Ughelli North Local Government, and has not been awarded any contract, and is not personally owned or operated by me. I resigned from any involvement with the said company, and there has been no breach of due process or statutory guidelines in any contract award under my administration.”
The local government boss who is often described as someone with high temper (temperament) described the actions of Mr. Ovoke Akpobasa as cyberbullying, libelous and fake news being peddled by him.
Hear him; “The deliberate spread of misinformation, spearheaded by Mr. Ovoke Akpobasa, an Executive Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora Affairs, is a calculated attempt to tarnish my reputation, discredit my administration, and cast aspersions on the government of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. Such reckless and defamatory actions are not only unbecoming of a public office holder but also pose a serious threat to public trust and governance.
“I call on relevant authorities to immediately rein in Mr. Akpobasa and his collaborators to prevent further embarrassment to the government and unnecessary tension among the people. Should this orchestrated smear campaign persist, I reserve the right to pursue legal action against him and his employer the Delta State Government in my personal capacity.”
Egbo, a lawyer and Knight of the Anglican Church, again pledged his commitment to the service of the people and to also be transparent in his dealings and promised not to be discouraged by what he called false information or character assassination.
“I remain steadfast in my commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance, and I am confident that a thorough and objective review of this matter will expose the baseless nature of these allegations.
“Let it be known that I will not be deterred by falsehood and character assassination. My focus remains on delivering effective governance and upholding the principles of integrity and service to the people.
Hon. Egbo further gave clarifications on his alleged fiasco with the former chairman of the PDP who is now in the APC, Mr. Lucky Ofomukoro. He denied having any issues with him nor has he had any public confrontation with him as he is his friend, claiming that the rumuor making the rounds of him having quarrels with him was not true but a calculated attempt to smear his administration.
“The rumour peddling around is a calculated attempt to discredit my personality. We worked very closely while he held sway as the L.G.A Party Chairman and he was very supportive of my Administration.”
His clarifications is coming on the heels of his alleged slapping of the former PDP local government chairman at a public function held at the Ughelli Secretariat hall sometimes last year.
On his suspension by his family, Egbo alleged that it was just a mere social media attempt to malign his personality, saying that the Abovwe family has debunked the rumuor of his suspension and read out a purported document released by the family but was not signed by any of the family members;
“ON THE ISSUE OF THE PURPORTED SUSPENSION BY MY FAMILY/REMOVAL OF CHIEF GOWON EGOIDE AS THE CHAIRMAN OF MOTOR PARK
KINDLY SEE THE REPORT OF THE ABOVWE FAMILY MEETING HELD ON SUNDAY 18TH MAY 2025 IN UDUERE COMMUNITY, UGHELLI.
ABOVWE FAMILY DEBUNKS RUMOURS OF JARO EGBO’S SUSPENSION
“I stand before you today on behalf of the Abovwe family to categorically refute the baseless and malicious rumors circulating on social media regarding the alleged suspension or ostracization of our illustrious son, Olorogun (Barr.) Jaro Movudu Egbo, KSC, the Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area.
Let it be known that these allegations are completely false and far from reality. The Abovwe family remains firmly and unequivocally behind our son, and we will not allow misinformation to tarnish his reputation or the integrity of our family. The purported suspension document, which has been making rounds on social media, is nothing more than a fraudulent fabrication. None of the recognized Abovwe Family Executive Committee members endorsed it. Instead, it bears the signatures of individuals who, quite frankly, did not comprehend what they were signing.
“We have traced the origins of these false claims to personal grievances against Chairman Egbo. One signatory, a 70-year-old brother of the Chairman, sought appointment as LEA Chairman but was denied due to concerns over nepotism. Another key figure behind these rumours, Mr. Gowon Egoide, continues to present himself as family chairman despite his tenure having long expired.
“Furthermore, we have uncovered that Egoide and certain former executive members are attempting to divert attention from serious accusations regarding the unauthorized sale of family land at Ighwreovie and along Jaro Egbo Road. These individuals, after being confronted about these transactions and following Egoide’s removal from a lucrative motor park committee position, resorted to spreading falsehoods to mislead the public. Today, in a show of unprecedented solidarity, the Abovwe family has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in Chairman Egbo. Let it be known, and let it be heard loud and clear:
“We, the Abovwe family of Abovwe Quarter in Uduere Community, Ughelli, stand united behind Olorogun Jaro Egbo. Any rumor of his suspension or excommunication is not only false but impossible. It did not happen, it could not have happened, and it will never happen.
“We urge the public to disregard these malicious claims and stand with us in defending the truth.”
This statement was however not signed by any known name of the Above family.
It was also alleged that a meeting of the Abovwe family convened on Sunday, May 19, 2025, was disrupted by thugs alleged to be loyalists to the council chairman. Meanwhile, the suspension of the council boss from the family was reported in one of the national dailies and numerous Online platforms.