The South-South Market Women Leader, Mary Chidweke has been arrested by the police over an alleged embezzlement of the sum of N11m belonging to the Union meant for the inauguration of the union’s Rivers State Chapter.
Our correspondent who visited some representatives of the union gathered that the said fund was realized from contributions of N1,000 by members for registration and N1,500 for head-ties in preparation for the inauguration of he state chapter.
The Newswriter was told that following the delay of the proposed inauguration, the state chapter sent a delegation to Abuja and registered their protest, only to be told by the National Leader of the union that their contribution has not been remitted to the National Secretariat which has frustrated the proposed inauguration.
At the meeting in Abuja, the delegation declared the amount of money contributed in various markets for the registration.
The report of the delegation made the National Leader to order for the arrest and detention of Chidweke in Abuja.
The Newswriter learnt that Mary was firstly detained in Atako Police Station for eight days before she was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, (SCID), Port Harcourt.
When our correspondent went the Police Station to confirm the arrest, Mary Chidweke was said to be in detention. The Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Chukwu said investigations are ongoing to ascertain the claims of the union.
Meanwhile we learnt that the case has charged to court and adjourned to January, 2013 for further hearing. ###
Alapakabia Tobin
