… Alleges Goods Worth Millions, Phones, Confiscated By Council Boss
Palpable tension and fears has gripped residents and political actors including the business community, in Ughelli, Delta State, following the impoundment of a truck load of goods worth millions of naira belonging to a chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Amb. Agbah Alex Tobore, including his wife’s and manager’s phones on the alleged directives of by the Ughelli North Local Government Council Chairman, Jaro Egbo.
Tobore, who raised the alarm over the development, alleged that the incident was the latest in a series of actions targeted at his business operations in the peaceful area of Ughelli.
He recalled that his business premises had earlier been sealed by the Ughelli North Local Government Chairman, Olorogun Jaro Egbo, over an allegation relating to the branding of his vehicle, adding that he was subsequently asked to make a payment in connection with the matter.
The businessman said the latest incident had left him worried about the safety of his business and investments. The aggrieved business man disclosed that two other trailer loads of goods have arrived but that he is so uncertain about the circumstances surrounding the council chairman actions.
While appealing for the intervention of the Delta state Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and the Federal Government intervention on the issues, Tobore noted, that there is the need to establish the facts surrounding the reported impoundment of the truck and the alleged seizure of his wife’s and manager’s mobile phones.
He specifically sought clarification over the reported seizure of the Samsung mobile phone belonging to his wife, Mrs Agbah, and that of his business manager.
“Has Nigeria politics deteriorated to this level that personal and individual businesses will be targeted with state powers just because one refuses towing the same path with you”?
The NDC chieftain urged the authorities to ensure that political differences did not lead to the harassment of individuals or interference with their lawful business activities.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Media Aide to the Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Council, Mr Ekete Efe, were unsuccessful.
Calls placed to his mobile telephone line were neither answered nor returned as of the time of filing this report and the council’s position on the allegations of the impoundment and seizure of personal phones could not be ascertained.
However, political gladiators have described the alleged actions of the council chairman Olorogun Jaro Egbo, as political persecution and abuse of power, warning that his actions may trigger violence as tension is already gathering momentum. Other sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity says Jaro Egbo has crumbled the economy of Ughelli North Local Government Area with what they described as irrational and incoherent decisions of witch-hunting using state powers.