The Congress of the Alaigbo Development Foundation, an Igbo think-tank group, has announced suspension of 11 former officers over they described as engaging in conducts aimed at undermining and destroying the body.
Chairman of ADF Congress, Emeritus Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, announced the suspension on Wednesday, while briefing reporters on the decision of the Congress after its expanded meeting.
Nwala explained that the suspension of the members followed the Report of the Disciplinary Committee of the Alaigbo Development Foundation.
In a statement jointly signed by Prof Nwala and the Chairman, Sub-Committee ADF Congress Disciplinary Committee, Rev. Onyeise, which was made available to reporters, the group stated that the affected members have two weeks to appear before the Disciplinary Committee or if found guilty of the accusations, would be expelled from body.
According to the statement, “These members are given two weeks to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the ADF Congress, failure to do so and/or if found guilty of the offences for which they are being charged, they are liable for expulsion from the Alaigbo Development Foundation,” the statement noted.
On offences for which they are being Suspended, the group stated: “Conducting a show of shame called an election in Prof. Barth Nnaji’s private compound, a desperate act meant to seize the leadership of the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF).
“Refusal to respect the intervention and advice of some of the Elders of the ADF who had advised that Election into the Offices of the ADF should be held on April 11, 2024.
“It is to be noted that the day they carried out this sham selection at Enugu was the day the President of the ADF, Emeritus Professor T. Uzodinma Nwala, was hosting guests, including several ADF leaders, at his home in Imo State in honour of his beloved daughters’ Traditional Marriage.
“The Elders of ADF had ruled against any election on this date in order to show respect to Prof Uzodinma Nwala, who had meritoriously led the ADF for ten years, as well as served the Nigerian State and Igbo nation in worthy roles and initiatives most of his life. The Elders had proposed the election to be held on April 11, 2024. But these men in their bid to satisfy their interests and those of their sponsors will not respect any limit because they believe that Nigeria is a lawless country.
“For authorizing and organizing criminal attack and break-in into the Secretariat of the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) at 38B Umuezebi Street in New Haven Enugu,
“The attack involved breaking of the Secretariat locks and replacing them with their locks. This desperate attack was with a view to seizure of the ADF Secretariat and removing some vital official files of the ADF.
“The leadership of ADF managed to regain entry into our Secretariat through the intervention of the Nigerian Police based in New Haven Police Station, Enugu. The leaders of this criminal assault on the ADF Secretariat are Barr Marx Ozoaka and Dr J. C. Chukwuokolo.
They are currently on bail for the criminal break-in and illegal entry into the ADF Secretariat.
“Refusal to abide by the authority of the ADF Council and setting up an illegal Election Committee without the Authority of the Council of the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) whose constitutional right it is to organize an election.
“Hijacking of the ADF Social media platform – ADF GROUP – and removing the ADF President and other principal officers of the ADF from the platform.”
According to the statement, the Congress of ADF has directed the Legal Bureau of ADF to pursue the case of illegal break-in into the Secretariat in order to seek justice.
“To report the activities of Barr Marx Ozoaka, a lawyer who has engaged in serious criminal activities contrary to the tenets of Law over which he may have taken oath as a lawyer.”
