Documents obtained by SaharaReporters, show that the tenure of Mrs. Patience Nkem Okwuofu as chairperson of the commission and other members had elapsed since on 31st March, 31st, 2014.
Crisis is currently rocking the Delta State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC), following the alleged illegal self-reappointment of Mrs. Patience Nkem Okwuofu as the chairperson of the commission, as well as the alleged hijacking of the commission’s treasury by the chairwoman.
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters, show that the tenure of Mrs. Patience Nkem Okwuofu as chairperson of the commission and other members had elapsed since on 31st March, 31st, 2014. In spite of this, Patience Nkem Okwuofu has continued to illegally perpetrate and impose herself on the commission as chairwoman.
Investigations by SaharaReporters revealed that other members of the Commission who were affected by the tenure expiration vacated their offices but the Okwuofu has continued to hold on to power illegally, insisting even when there is a very senior civil servant, the commission’s Secretary, to hand over to in line with the normal practice.
A very dependable source in the commission who confided in our correspondent stated that Okwuofu has allegedly made frantic efforts to influence some top politicians in the state to secure their backing. It was furthered gathered that she has also allegedly embarked on intimidation and threats to the commission’s Secretary and some directors who are not willing to cooperate with her in her illegality.
“As we talk, the shameless Okwuofu has hijacked the treasury of the commission. She has continue to boast to our faces that nobody can do her anything, that if she can contribute to the plot that ousted the former speaker of the state house of Assembly, who is there that she cannot challenge? She also went to boast that even the state governor does not have any say because she has pocketed him as her political son. During her reign, she runs the commission as her private estate. Very corrupt woman to the core," our source stated.
In a fraudulent letter by the former chairman of the commission, obtained by SaharaReporters, with reference number LGCD/T/1, dated August 5, 2014, titled “Expiration /Continuation In Office” and transmitted to the Secretary of the Commission, Okwuofu stated, inter alia, that she “consulted and has therefore decided to continue to discharge her duties, obligations and responsibilities, according to the law that set the Commission up."