Kogiflame
A victim of an acid attack, Mr. Okpanachi James Okolo has accused a former Deputy Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly member, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Omebije of absconding with money raised for his transplant surgery.
Okolo, in a pathetic narration to journalists on Sunday, stated he was attacked with acid at Agbeji by Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) thugs on 14th April 2007, exactly 17 years ago.
Narrating the sad event, Okpanachi James Okolo explained that he was Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader in the area at that time and he was perceived to be popular by opposition party (ACN) that could pose an upset to their political enterprise.
“For fear of losing election in the area, ACN Thugs attacked me and poured on me an acid solution which affected my both eyes and part of my body,” he said.
Asked what brought Hon Emmanuel Omebije into the whole story, he explained, “Well, Honourable Emmanuel Omebije being the Kogi State House of Assembly member from the area happened to be a political figure to be reckoned with.
“On getting to know my condition, the then Governor of the State, who was also a chieftain of PDP, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, immediately took over the medical expenses of rehabilitating my person.
“Subsequently, he (Ibro) on my behalf ordered Honourable Emmanuel Omebije, from my area to research where operation of my eyes could be done successfully.
“Honourable Emmanuel Omebije, was later mobilized by His Excellency Ibrahim Idris and he (Omebije) claimed he had travelled out on two occasions to locate where such operation could be performed.
“Honourable Emmanuel Omebije later brought a bill of N120Million where the operation could be performed in England.
“To the best of my knowledge, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, gave him the money and asked me to followed him.
“After the release of the money by His Excellency Ibrahim Idris, Honourable Emmanuel Omebije processed an International Passports for me and my brother, Sunday O James who was to accompany me to England.
“At this point, funny behaviour of Honourable Emmanuel Omebije began to emerge as he said the agent he wanted to use to facilitate our travelling was an Ibo Man and that he has never comfortable dealing with an Ibo Man, asserting that, they are not trustworthy.
“He then requested that I, Okpanachi James Okolo, should give him 2 weeks to sort things out in order to hire another agent for that purpose.
“To my greatest surprise, all effort made to reach Honourable Emmanuel Omebije since then has proved abortive as he has ran away with the money as he refused to pick my call neither reply my SMS.”
Questioned by the group of journalists, what he wants now, he said, “I want Honourable Emmanuel Omebije to refund the money meant for my transplant surgery because I am in serious pain. members of the public can help me call him on this number: 08109976980. I equally appeal to the public, institutions, NGO and individuals alike, who are touched by this story to help me out as they can reach me on this number: 09132168935”.
Reacting to the allegation, Hon. Omebije called on Nigerians to ignore the accusation, describing it as the “highest level of character assassination”
He said, in a statement, that against the allegations making the rounds, he supported his accuser to seek medical sponsorship.
“I rose up for him because he is from my constituency, seeking medical sponsorship from the kogi state government as at that time and the little I could do was to fast track the process of getting foreign medical trip, which was not possible without an International passport which I voluntarily and graciously facilitated for Him.
“We will therefore not sit back and watch people with low esteem, ingrates and morally bankrupt to soil ‘a hand of fellowship.”
