Embezzlement of N4 Billion Biafran Fund: Igbo Mandate Congress Condemns MASSOB

Igbo Mandate Congress IMC has condemned the
self inflicted break-up of MASSOB into two
factions as a result of embezzlement of the
Multi-billions of naira and millions of dollars
accruing to the group over the years.
At this time when Pro-Biafra protests started by
few IPOB faithful and joined by numerous
frustrated and marginalized Igbos of South East
Nigeria is drawing international attention to the
sorry state of Igbo Nation, what is least needed
now is the distraction of a MASSOB break-up.
The Founder and leader of MASSOB, Chief Raph
Uwazurike was yesterday expelled from the body
by a faction of the group, and sworn in a new
helmsman in the person of Uchenna Madu,
former National Director of Information. Madu
was one of those who have served Uwazurike
and MASSOB faithfully from the beginning and
deserves better treatment from ‘Chief’. IMC had
learnt over time that Madu and his supporters
were kept in the dark over the billions MASSOB
was garnering in the name of Biafra. IMC had
known over the years that Madu and his loyalists
were the fifth group to abandon Uwazurike’s
MASSOB on account of financial impropriety.
Igbo Mandate Congress, IMC and General
Assembly of all Igbo Christian Organizations and
Ministers, GAAICOM had in the past three to four
years been authorized by leading Igbo clerics and
opinion leaders to wade into feud between
Uwazurike and his complaining lieutenants over
mismanagement of financial issues with the
intentions of ensuring that the South East is not
turned into a bloody zone as a result of sharing
formulae. IMC and GAAICOM had expected
Uwazurike to have appreciated our past
interventions and mase his financial dealings with
his boys more transparent so that his lieutenants
would stop salivating and gallivanting around.
Igbo Mandate Congress also noted that those
same MASSOB members who lived in denial two
–three years ago, when we described the
financial impropriety in the organization as a time
bomb waiting to happen, are the same people
canvassing the same arguments now. The New
MASSOB leadership had alleged among others
that
1. The introduction of the Biafra international
passport through Uwazurike generated about
N100 million for himself in a manner they saw as
fraudulent.
2. The diversion of over N40million realized from
the dedication of the Biafran war veterans’ home
in Okwe built by MASSOB members to
Uwazuruike’s personal purse.
3. Collection of proceeds from membership
identity card with the sum of N1, 000 and also
pay monthly income tax of N200 to Uwazuruike,
running into billions yet unaccounted for
4 Purchase of private properties in many
locations in Owerri, including a street bought and
named after Uwazulike in New Owerri, which
comprises 28 plots.
5. Conversion of contributed nearly N4 billion in
the last 16 years into Uwazurike’s personal use.”
IMC knows that MASSOB had collected sums far
in excess of these and wishes to let sleeping
dogs lie. However, it is alarming that the group
used such perilous times to execute the final
coup on Uwazurike.
IMC hereby counsels Chief Uwazurike to ask for
forgiveness from his lieutenants, make amends
and retrace his steps. IMC also calls upon the
new MASSOB leader, Madu, to sheath the sword
if his former boss shows signs of remorse, and
seek acceptable means of resolving the crisis.
IMC had had course in recent past to rehabilitate
some ex-MASSOB lieutenants of the struggle
because their leaders used and dumped them into
lives of suffering and may not continue to render
such help again. IMC recognizes that Uwazulike
had made costly sacrifices for the Biafran cause
but should recognize that others made sacrifices
with him too and those must be accorded their
respect.
Igbo Mandate Congress finally condemns the
embezzlement of over N4Billion Biafran Funds by
MASSOB , and decries a situation whereby
leaders of the group are living in palatial
mansions, while the foot soldiers are abandoned
to lives of penury and frustrations.
Rev Obinna Akukwe
Director General, Igbo Mandate Congress IMC
igbomandate@yahoo.com