Moses Owharo led All Nigerian Community dissolved – Envoy

The Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, Her Excellency Mrs. Adekunbi Shonaike Ayodeji has dissolved - with immediate effect - the present executives of the All Nigerian Community (ANC) – Ghana led by Moses Owharo and the faction led by Dr. Prince Emmanuel Okeson.

The decision, according to Mrs. Shonaike was as a result of the protracted dispute within the Community which has gone out of control and therefore putting the name of Nigeria in a bad light before its host country.

Buttressing her point on the reason for the Commission’s decision, she explained that: “Nigeria High Commission – Ghana has viewed with increasing concern the protracted dispute and the factionalization of All Nigerian Community in Ghana which has brought into disrepute the image of Nigeria in its host country.

The continued washing of the Community's dirty linen; accusations and counter accusations of embezzlement, impersonation/forgery of signatories to the ANC bank account and fraud has been openly traded between the two opposing factions in the media.”

“This has tampered with the unity of the Community; defeating the very purpose the ANC-Ghana was established and portraying the image of Nigeria in a negative form before the host country. It is in view of this unfortunate development and in the interest of the unity of the Nigerian Community which is paramount - that the present executives of ANC-Ghana is hereby dissolved with immediate effect.”

She however enjoined Dr. Prince Okeson to hand over all ANC documents in his possession to the caretaker committee constituted to run the affairs of the Association pending the conduct of an inclusive election of new executives while urging Mr. Moses Owharo to also render account of his stewardship to the same Committee in the spirit of probity and transparency; warning that henceforth, both parties should stop parading themselves as ANC officials.

Mrs. Shonaike also noted that part of the obligation of the caretaker committee would see to a smooth transition which she said: “will be concluded not later than three months or latest February 2017.” Adding that the caretaker committee will also review the 2013 Constitution of the Association and make recommendations accordingly.

It would be recalled that Moses Owharo, whose tenure expired a year ago, is alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn huge amounts from the All Nigerian Community's United Bank of Africa account using unauthorized persons not signatory to the account to perpetrate the act; a development which was confirmed to GhanaWeb by the Public Relations Officer of the organization, Barry Ndu.

This development makes it the second time the All Nigerian Community executive is being dissolved to make way for new elections.

It was first dissolved in 2013 by the immediate past Nigerian High Commissioner, His Excellency, Ambassador Oluseyi Onafowokan - leading to the ushering in of the current executive which was again dissolved on the 4th of November 2016.