Cross River PDP Moves to Petition EFCC Against Suspended Chairman Over Alleged Financial Misconduct

Cross River PDP Moves to Petition EFCC Against Suspended Chairman Over Alleged Financial Misconduct

 

The Cross River State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is preparing to submit a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following the suspension of its chairman, Barr. Venatius Ikem, on allegations of financial impropriety.

 

According to party insiders, Ikem is accused of depleting the state party’s account without proper authorization, contrary to the financial management protocols outlined in the PDP’s constitution.

 

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The recent revelation marks the latest twist in the controversy surrounding Ikem, who was suspended by the State Working Committee (SWC) of the PDP for alleged financial misconduct and anti-party activities.

 

A party insider, who requested anonymity, disclosed to News Week Nigeria that Ikem’s financial dealings lacked the SWC’s mandatory oversight and approval.

 

The source further alleged that the suspended chairman previously instructed the party’s treasurer to sign ten blank cheques, which he subsequently used without consulting other members of the SWC.

 

“It was revealed to us yesterday, November 18, 2024, after the removal of the former state chairman, Barr. Venatius Ikem. While Ikem has been busy defending himself on social media, we discovered this unfortunate matter: he allegedly had the treasurer sign ten blank cheques, giving him unchecked access to the PDP state account,” the source stated.

 

The insider continued, “Every financial transaction he conducted was done without SWC’s approval, a violation of the PDP constitution. As such, we have no option but to petition the EFCC to investigate Ikem’s handling of the party’s finances.”

 

Below is the unedited statement from the source:

“It was revealed to us yesterday being Monday, 18th of November 2024, after the sacked of the former state chairman of PDP cross river state,Barr venatius Ikem. While the elswhile state chairman is busy defending himself and indicting some leaders of the party in cross river on his social media pages since after his removal,it was an unfortunate and saddest revelation that the state chairman have asked the state party treasurer some months ago to sign ten blank cheques for him and by implications he has emptied the PDP state account to himself as noted yesterday and it was also revealed that in all his financial transactions from inception of his office was done without the approval of the state working committee (SWC) as it’s enshrined in the PDP constitution.”

 

“Therefore,we are left with no options than getting set to petition EFCC for Barr venatius Ikem to answer some questions regarding the party’s account.”

 

“Unfortunately,this is the man who claimed publicly that he left a 30 million naira from the sales of forms before he was stacked on the 15th of November 2024, but there is nothing in the account as at yesterday,the 18th of November 2024 and the party will stop at nothing to”

 

Ikem, who claimed he left N30 million in the party’s coffers from the sale of forms before his suspension on November 15, 2024, now faces accusations that the account balance has been emptied as of November 18, 2024. The PDP, determined to recover the funds, is expected to pursue legal avenues to ensure accountability.

 

The party, committed to following appropriate channels, intends to file a formal complaint with the EFCC to recover its missing funds and enforce accountability for any potential breaches of fiduciary responsibility.