The sum of Three Hundred and Thirty-Nine Million ( N339million) Naira, paid to Rebisi Central Age Group by the Rivers State Government as compensation for the demotion of Ahia Makara market at Nwagia area of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers State is currently causing crises among three groups in the kingdom.
Theportcitynews.com gathered that two opposing sides of Rebisi council of chiefs and Elders are at logger head over the compensation of the sum paid for the demolition of market stalls being managed by a socio cultural organization of Rebisi, Rebisi Central Age Group.
A source who narrated the story to TPCN, said that the money is now a subject of investigation by the anti- crime agency, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
Accordingly, all the groups have been invited by the anti Crime Agency for questioning. Those invited includes the leadership of Central Azubuike Age Group and the other chiefs headed by Chief Azubuike Nmerukini and Eze Elekwu.
The Rebisi central Age Group which is headed by Elder Benneth Amadi as President General, Sunny Chuku as secretary and Godspower Owhonda as Treasurer respectively was petitioned by Rebisi Owhor Holders Council and Elders and chiefs of Rebisi Kingdom in the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area.
The Chiefs in a petition by their counsel, U.G Nwokocha alleged that the leadership of the Age Group and others tampered with the sum paid as compensation by the state government for the acquisition of the said expanse of land, saying that the payment was made through Zenith Bank in the account of Rebisi central Age Group first Bank of Nigeria PLC.
The petition urged the Financial Crime Agency to stop those concerned from reckless disbursements of the said sum of money, stressing that if not stopped, nothing will be left for the entire Rebisi kingdom as they claimed that the demolished property was owned by the entire kingdom but managed by the Central Age Group.
It was on the strength of this that the other group headed by a contender to the throne of Eze Opara Rebisi and Eze Victor Worluchem petitioned the Rebisi Central Age group and the other chiefs to return the said sum of #139 million and #69million to Chiefs and Elders headed by Chief Azubuike Nmerukini.
It was also gathered that two weeks ago, the leadership of the Rebisi Central Age Group and the other chiefs, returned the said sum of #139 million and #69million to Chiefs and Elders headed by Chief Azubuike Nmerukini.
Meanwhile, when Contacted the President General of Rebisi Central Age Group, Benneth Amadi confirmed that he was invited by the EFCC last Thursday and explanations were given because the area concerned was managed by the Group.
Amadi regretted that the compensation had brought so much interest, but said that all along, the Rebisi Central Age Group has been managing the stores and expanse of land which the money was paid for.
He insisted that the expanse of land belongs to the Central Age Group, adding that the Group has a judgment to that effect.
Chief Nmerukini and Eze Elikwu could not be reached for comment, but one of the chiefs whose counsel wrote the petition, Chief Cyprian Worenwu confirmed that they are all going to EFCC
Wurionwo argued that the Rebisi Central Age Group was established to manage the affairs of the Ahiamakara in the overall interest of Rebisi, but regretted that they have turned themselves to landlords.
When contacted the Head, Public Affairs PortHarcourt Zone of EFCC, Dele Oyewale confirmed that the commission is still investigating the matter and those involved were also in the office of the commission for interrogations recently.
