The founder of Rivers Women in Agriculture, a non-governmental organization, Mrs. Irene Ichenwo, has been accused of fraudulent practices by the co-ordinator of the organization in Degema local government area, DELGA, Mrs. Dorcas Benebo.
In a Petition titled “PETITION AGAINST MRS. IRENE ICHENWO OF NO. 2 ICHENWO CLOSE, OROWORUKWO TOWN WATERLINE, PORT HARCOURT, FOR OBTAINING MONEY UNDER FALSE PRETENCES, EMBEZZLEMENT AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF
FUNDS FRAUDULENT PRACTICES, FURGERY. IMPERSONATION AND PERJURY/MENDACITY/LYING” addressed to the Commisionr of Police, Rivers Police Command, dated August 24, 2012, Mrs. Ichenwo allegedly swindled the sum of N4,165,000, being contributions by individual members of the various co-operatives in DELGA remitted to Mrs. Ichenwo.
The contributions, according to Mrs. Benebo who signed the petition, was for the purposes of certificate of registration, feasibility studies, catfish certificates, identity certificates, roll calls, inauguration, NDDC forms and opening of bank accounts.
Mrs. Benebo said they were tricked into contributing N5,000 each and that Access Bank into which the money was paid, denied knowledge of any loan or financial transaction between Mrs. Ichenwo and the bank.
She also said the Ministry of Women Affairs and Agriculture denied knowledge of it and that the catfish certificates issued to them were forged and printed by Mrs. Ichenwo.
Part of the petition which was copied the Inspector General of Police, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, the State Attorney General, Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs, Phalga chairman, EFCC, Rivers State and SSS Rivers State, reads:- “I am one of the co-ordinators appointed by the founder to oversee or preside over the affairs of Rivers Women in Agriculture in the Local Government Areas. As an indigene of Degema Local Government Area, I was asked to take charge of the local government area. The total number of co-operative societies in Degema Local Government Area is 10, each with a membership of 10. By the directive of Mrs. Ichenwo, each member was required to contribute or pay the sum of N5,000 for the following transactions/activities/expenses:
(i) Certificate of Registration for each cooperative society
(ii)Feasibility Studies
(iii) Catfish certificate for each member
(iv) I.D certificate for each member
(v) Roll calls
(vi) Inauguration
(vii) NDDC forms
(viii) Opening of bank accounts for the processing of loans for the members.
“All the amounts of money contributed by the individual members of the various co-operatives in Degema Local Government Area were duly remitted/paid to Mrs. Irene Ichenwo through her Secretary Elizabeth Wami for the above mentioned transactions and expenses, On the whole a total of N4,165,000 was paid to Mrs. Ichenwo by my co-operatives.
“Regrettably, Mrs. Irene Ichenwo who claimed to be an employee of Port Harcourt City Local Government Council and Consultant/Agent to Ministries of Women Affairs and Agriculture on agriculture related programmes is a devilish, sadistic, conscienceless, heartless, notorious person with evil propensities/inclinations. She is known for her illegal, indecent, unwholesome, fraudulent dealings/activities in the State and, by her ignoble, infamous, immoral behaviour, has inflicted a lot of injuries, pains, woes, agonies on many families and women including widows.
“Even ministries of Women Affairs and Agriculture denied knowledge of such banking transactions and financial deals. Furthermore, the catfish certificates which were issued to us were forged and printed by her.”
Mrs Dorcas Benebo pleaded with the commissioner, saying they “request your noble and dignified office to come to our aid and order Mrs. Irene Ichenwo to refund to us all the sums of money amounting to N4,165,000 which she allegedly and fraudulently collected from us.” ####
Kenneth Amabipi
