By PETER OKOLIE

The Ukpo Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra has tendered a formal apology to the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, Zone 13, Mohammed Danmallam, over the alleged misconduct of its cabinet member, Mr Ugochukwu Nwabueze.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that Nwabueze allegedly impersonated the AIG to swindle unsuspecting members of the public.

Chief Okwuchukwu Ezeaku, a member of the cabinet of Ukpo traditional stool, led a delegation to the AIG at the Police Zonal Headquarters in Ukpo, near Awka on Wednesday.

Ezeaku told newsmen after the meeting with AIG that after a thorough investigation into the allegation, the community sacked Nwabueze from the royal council.

“We are here to say sorry to the AIG for the damage he suffered as a result of the alleged activities of Nwabueze.

“The young man has been removed as a member of the Igwe’s cabinet and also relieved of all positions he held in the community.

“He will now face his trial alone, without dragging the community into it,” the community leader said.

He described the suspect as the youngest member of the royal council.

According to him, he was chosen because the traditional ruler of the community believed in mentoring youths to take over from the older generation.

In a response, the AIG expressed dismay over “the unauthorised activities of the suspect.”

“It was a surprise to me that the suspect was going about, claiming to be my aide, and that I authorised him to source funds to equip my office.

“People should be very careful who they deal with and always ask questions when in doubt, instead of falling victim to fraudsters.

“He is already standing trial in court and that should be a lesson to others,” he said.

NAN reports that Nwabueze was arrested in September and paraded by the police for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting members of the public to the tune of over N10 million.

He allegedly collected the money under the guise that he was an aide to the AIG and seeking donations to equip the AIG’s new office and residence. (NAN)

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