By Sarah Ezeh
The Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Mr. Echezona Anazodo, has denied allegations of diverting more than N4bn realized from the allocation of shops at the Agboedo Motor Parts Market.
He insisted that neither he nor the council received or managed any funds connected with the project because it was privately executed by the market leadership and traders.
Anazodo was reacting to claims made in a viral video by prominent Nnewi businessman and former football club proprietor, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, popularly known as Gabros.
Chief Chukwuma had alleged in the video that more than N4bn realized from the allocation of shops at the market was misappropriated and shared as political patronage.
Speaking with journalists, the council chairman described the allegations as false, maintaining that neither he nor the local government received or managed any funds connected with the project.
“I did not collect any money from anybody. Neither I nor the local government received or managed any funds for that project,” he said.
According to Anazodo, the Agboedo Motor Parts Market development was a private initiative undertaken by the market leadership and traders, who engaged a contractor to execute the project.
“The role of the local government was limited to facilitating the project by providing security and creating an enabling environment.
“The contractor was engaged by the market committee, and the council neither funded nor executed the project,” he said.
Anazodo urged the public to verify the claims by visiting the market and speaking directly with traders and officials involved in the project.
“I encourage anyone interested to visit the project site and speak with those involved to confirm whether any money was paid to the local government,” he said, adding “The facts are verifiable.”
Commenting on the possible motive behind the allegations, Anazodo said he could not speculate but noted that the accuser does not hold any official position in the market.
“It may be personal. I cannot say for certain, but he does not hold any office in the market. People should seek clarification from the market leadership and traders who participated in the project,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Agboedo Motor Parts Market, Mr Kennedy Oguaju, said the project was wholly financed by traders and executed by a contractor appointed by the market committee.
He maintained that the local government neither received nor managed any funds generated from the development.
In thehe viral video, Chief Chukwuma who alleged that more than N4bn realised from the allocation of shops at the market was diverted and shared for political purposes, said he decided to speak out as a senior citizen of Nnewi.
Describing the allegation as his responsibility to expose what he termed wrongdoing, the businessman also dismissed claims that he had controlled Nnewi markets for more than 30 years.
“I am a billionaire. I don’t eat public money. I have never led any Nnewi market for one hour. Rather, I have used my personal resources to support traders and the people of Nnewi. Go and verify,” he said.
Chukwuma further alleged that he was being targeted because he refused attempts to induce him into silence over the matter.
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