There are reports that the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for African Development NEPAD, Ms. Akobundu’s era was allegedly characterized by corruption, nepotism, violation of Code of Conduct Act, among other allegations.
Meanwhile, a group League of Patriots has made a fresh call to President Bola Ahmed for the investigation of Ms. Akobundu over perennial corruption, criminal infractions, using her relatives as aides and sending them to man government offices in foreign lands and violations of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that characterized her tenure.
The group, League of Patriots consist of Nigerian professionals at home and the Diaspora. In a communique issued via a unified telegraph delegate meeting drawn from members in Nigeria, Europe, America and Asia exclusively obtained by LeadingReporters, the group said that Ms. Gloria should be thoroughly investigated especially regarding allegation of flooding the agency with relatives and friends who act as her aides.
“From what we have gathered, The NEPAD Boss Ms Gloria Akobundu represents negativity in all its ramifications, corruption, and ineptitude and does not hold prerequisite qualities to hold the strategic position she held, let alone being given another opportunity to serve in illegality.
Speaking to LeadiingReporters International Correspondent, the Secretary of the League – Marshal Ndubuisi said that allowing Ms Akobundu to get away with such impunity in a strategic organisation like NEPAD will become a misnomer and a national misrepresentation which has continued to dent the image of Nigeria among the comity of nations and other strategic stakeholders.
“If not for dirty politics, how on earth can such a woman be allowed to serve in such strategic office going by her antecedents. We have verifiable information that highly suggests criminal infractions, mismanagement of resources as well as lack of managerial skills required to optimize the fortune of the agency for the good of Nigeria and Nigerians. Ms Akobundu has continued to leverage her connection with politicians from her home state to stay put despite allegations of corruption and violations of the Code of Conduct Act hanging on her shoulder. Now, she wants to take that impunity to an all-high level by seeking for extension of office.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ms. Akobundu sits on the board of many private companies not only as a shareholder but also as a director in violation of the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act (CCB&T Act, 5th Schedule, Part 1, Paragraph 1-11 to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She uses these companies to carry out her corrupt and nefarious acts. They include:
- C.P. Golden Limited
- Ugofito Nigeria Limited
- Enka Construction Ltd
- Melrose Bakeries Ltd which later become Melrose Farms Ltd
The group said their investigation revealed that none of the companies was declared in Ms Akobundu’s Assets and Liability Forms.
“These companies have continued to be used as conduits to fleece the government including using the same to corner contracts from her benefactors in Imo State Government House.
League of Patriots therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to save Nigeria from further embarrassment by not granting her extension in office but rather should get the anti-corruption and other concerned agencies to institute a probe of her abysmal two terms in office.
All efforts to reach the NEPAD Boss Ms Akobundu for clarifications were unsuccessful as at the time of publishing this report as all her known lines were switched off.