SEVENTY-nine year old businessman, Timothy Umenzekwe, has raised the alarm over what he termed “serial involvement in criminality, misconduct and desecration of ethics” by member representing Onitsha South Local Government of Anambra State in the House of Assembly, Jude Umennajiego.
The septuagenarian, in petitions to Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Public Complaints Commission (PCC) and Labour Party (LP), urged the establishments to checkmate the lawmaker’s excesses and ensure disciplinary actions were taken against him.
Addressing reporters in Umuchu, Aguata Local Government, Umenzekwe accused Umennajiego, of recruiting some criminals to demolish his properties and that of Mrs Joanah Umenzekwe, a widow at Awarasi village, Uga.
He alleged the lawmaker saw his election victory as opportunity to go after his perceived and imaginary enemies instead of taking up his legislative duties.
In a reaction, Umennajiego described the petitions as baseless to tarnish his political career, urging Umenzekwe to rather embrace peace and ensure justice was served to his kindred.
He said his problem with the septuagenarian was his decision to offer legal aid towards recovery of his brothers’ inheritance, a move the petitioner saw as stumbling block to acquiring the inheritance of his 11 brothers.
“Umenzekwe, who was removed as chairman of Awarasi Progressive Union in 1995, is fighting me because I decided to offer legal aid to other members of Umenzekwe family, as well as my appeal to release share of over 100 plots he hijacked over the years.
“He has refused to allow anybody in the family to progress. He employes thugs, locks up his brothers at different police stations, including Innocent, Cajetan, Elozona Umenzekwe and others demanding share of their family inheritance”.
“He has written petitions against me, all of which he lost because they are baseless. He also felt engaging the media would tarnish my image and career…’’
“He thinks he is the God that made me and can destroy me. But I tell you, my mandate is not man-made. Only God can destroy me, and he won’t do that.
“There’s need for us to have peace in our place, but not the peace of Jonah in the fish belly. Let Nze Tutus, at his age, give peace a chance. The legacy he is living is not worthy of his family…’’
“I have no personal interest except to ensure justice is meted out to everyone. That’s all I’m asking. Aside this, I’m a very peaceful person, ” he said.
source: The Nation
