Nkanu youths suspend president over alleged N10m fraud 

Nkanu Youth Organisation, NYO, the umbrella body for youths across the six Local Government Areas of Enugu East Senatorial Zone, has announced the impeachment of its President, David Nwachukwu.

The group alleged serious misconduct on the part of the former President.

The body, which comprises youths from of Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Isi-Uzo, Enugu East, Enugu South, and Enugu North LGAs,  made this known at a press conference addressed by its National Executive Council on Tuesday, saying that it had equally appointed NYO’s Vice President, Pharm Gideon Nwafor, as the Acting President.

In a statement signed by Pharm Gideon Nwafor; the National Secretary, Ugwu Chukwuemerie Padrepew and the remaining five national executives of the organisation, NYO said that it took the decision after investigations into allegations of financial malfeasance levelled against Nwachukwu.

They include alleged diversion of funds, “fraudulent collection of N10 million using the name of a non-existent faction,” persistent abuse of office, engagement in sponsored attacks on illustrious leaders of to the tune of N2 million, and diversion of money meant for the registration of the body with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.

“Upon the conclusion of this process, the Council established that the allegations were credible, weighty, and fundamentally incompatible with the standards of leadership expected in NYO.

“The findings revealed acts of financial misappropriation, abuse of office, diversion of organisational funds, unauthorised collection of monies in the name of NYO, actions undertaken to undermine government institutions, and repeated unilateral decision-making without recourse to the appropriate organs of the organisation.

“In view of the gravity of these findings and the need to safeguard the integrity, unity, and future of the Nkanu Youth Organisation, the National Executive Council hereby announces that Mr. David Nwachukwu is hereby suspended indefinitely as the National President of Nkanu Youth Organization (NYO), with immediate effect. All organisational privileges and authorities previously vested in him are accordingly withdrawn.

“In line with our constitution and to avoid a leadership vacuum and ensure continuity of operations, the Vice President, Pharm. Gideon Nwafor, has been duly appointed as Acting National President.

“He is mandated to stabilise the organisation, coordinate reconciliation efforts, restore financial discipline, and oversee the affairs of the union pending a substantive President within the appropriate timeframe,” the statement read.

NYO said its erstwhile President also lacked authority to speak or act on behalf of the organisation in any capacity whatsoever going forward.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the National Executive Council hereby notifies the general public, government institutions, development partners, and the media that Mr. David Nwachukwu (Dika Dave) no longer represents the Nkanu Youth Organisation in any capacity whatsoever.

“He is not authorised to speak for, act on behalf of, or engage with any individual or institution in the name of Nkanu youths.

“Any correspondence, appearance, negotiation, or public statement made by him henceforth should be regarded as null, unauthorized, and lacking the mandate of the youths of Nkanu land,” it added.

The youths tendered apologies to illustrious sons and daughters of Nkanu land, who they said had fallen victim of their former President’s alleged sponsored attack, saying that such did not represent the ideals, aims and objectives of NYO stands for.

When contacted, Nwachukwu described the allegations as frivolous, and insisted that he remained the National President of the group.

He said the onus lied on his accusers to prov how the organisation got the said N10 million and how it was diverted.

According to him, “They should make proof of if the organisation has 10 million Naira, then how did the 10 million Naira come in?

“So, in a sense, some people reached out to them and bought them off, so they can come and say whatever they want to say.

“If an organisation like this has 10 million, how did it come in? So, how did I, on what ground did I collect the money? Who sent it? What ground did I spend? And did I expect it?

“For some time, because I’m trying to address some things that are happening in the state, which some persons have refused to speak. You know, sometimes when you’re trying to talk to the system, the system doesn’t want people that are standing up to them.”

Nwachukwu went on to declare that he remained the President having been elected by the people.

Nkanu youths suspend president over alleged N10m fraud