By Ene Osang Abuja–
Labour Party (LP) has disclosed that the police have offi cially arrested its former National Chairman, Alhaji A. A. Salam, over alleged embezzlement of over N1.3 billion of the party’s funds.
A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ebere Ifendu, said the case had reached an advanced stage, and the party was awaiting his prosecution and recovery of the party’s money and property.
The statement noted that allegations of fraud, embezzlement and antiparty activities were made against the former chairman, adding that the National Working Committee of the party met to review the allegations and a disciplinary committee was set up to give fair hearing to all sides.
The statement noted that the chairman had refused to appear before the committee, even when a letter to him already stated that failure to appear would attract consequences such as suspension from the party and removal from office.
Consequently, a new National Chairman, Dr Mike Omotosho, was considered and emerged in the convention held recently in Abuja.
“The National Working Committee later met to ratify the report of the disciplinary committee where it was agreed that the case of fraud and embezzlement of over N1.
3 billion party fund by A. A. Salam be reported to appropriate security agencies, though the former chairman objected to that but agreed that a national convention of the party be called,” the statement said.
“The Independent National Electoral Commission was duly informed in writing, the 21 days’ notice was duly given, the police were informed and all other procedure followed diligently.
” The statement further noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had recognised the newly elected chairman.
It therefore assured that the party is going through a process of restructuring and repositioning, calling on Nigerians to expect the best.
“A committee has been set up for the initial review of the state of aff airs of the party, the report shall be submitted any moment from now and Nigeria shall truly start seeing a new Labour Party that will be the face of the masses and the government in waiting.
