Ekpan community in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State has removed Chief Newton Agbofodoh as the Unuevworo (Spokesman) of the community.
In a communiqué issued at the end of Ekpan community congress held January 4, 2017 at the Ekpan community town hall, Chief Newton was deposed as the Unuevworo of Ekpan community.
In the communiqué signed by Innocent a Adjenughare (Ekpan Integrity Group) and 172 others, the Congress also resolved that the Usiavwie of Ekpan, Chief Victor Otomiewo steps aside from direct or indirect administration of Ekpan community affairs until such a time when the community appoints an Unuevworo.
Congress also resolved that all matters henceforth that relate to the traditional issues should be taken to the Isirierha of Ekpan.
It also resolved that the Ekpan Interim Caretaker Committee (EICC) tenure extended for six months from January 4, 2017 with full power to operate, function, administer, represent and manage the affairs of the community.
It said that the Ekpan Development Committee (EDC) that was formally under the leadership of Mr Silva Ofugara is dissolved.
According to the congress, that the existing CLO(s) and CRC(s) structures shall remain during the period of the EICC under the leadership of Otemu Believe Oyeghe (esq) and shall report to the EICC.
That a new name would be announced, incorporated and ushered in as soon as the constitution drafting committee are ready with their work.
According to the congress, the administrative structure of Ekpan community collapsed July 17, 2016 when Chief Newton Agbofodoh was arrested for alleged murder and other related offences.
It also stated that the administrative and traditional leadership of the community fell under the leadership of Chief Victor Otomiewo due to the vacuum created by the absence of Chief Agbofodoh.
It added that the Ekpan Interim Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Barrister Otemu Believe Oyeghe came into being when the Usiavwie of Ekpan, Chief Victor Otomiewo on August 5, 2016, swore the committee into office for six months duration.
It said the function of the EICC became almost crippled by the undue interference and most often through written letters by the Usiavwe to companies to ignore the committee’s letters.
It stated that the Usiavwie in total disregard and honour to the agreement reached between the Usiavwie and the Ekpan stakeholders, the Usiavwie clandestinely began to report and relay the daily happenings in the community to Chief Newton Agbofodoh in prison where he is facing alleged murder trial.
It also said that the Usiavwie contrary to expectations, maintained the name and telephone numbers of Chief Newton Agbofodoh on the community letter where corporate bodies and individual regularly calls Chief Newton Agbofodoh in prison.
The Usiavwie was accused of arrogating to himself the selection and appointment of CLO including the constitution of CRC members into WRPC, PPMC and NGC to the total exclusion of EICC and community input.
“The Usiavwie has consistently failed, refused to call a townhall meeting for briefing and report while on the other hand he has received two written reports from the EICC. The Usiavwie with selected chiefs and very few members of the community shared the 2016 annual foodstuffs and cash gifts given to the community among themselves and this is why we made the resolutions”, it stated.