Alleged N20m Fraud Rocks ASUSS In Edo State

By Alltimepost.com

An alleged misappropriation of N20 million by the present leadership of the Edo State Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary School Teachers (ASUSS) is currently raising tension amongst members.

The money which was said to have been realized from monthly dues paid by members of the union under the watch of Mr. Ifaluyi Isibor, who had ceased to lead the union about two years ago has now led to the emergence of two rival groups within the union.

To show the seriousness of the situation, a Caretaker Committee headed by Comrade Samuel Akhabue has already been set up and has attempted to take charge from the current chairman, Mrs. Bridgette Asemota.

Apart from demanding an explanation on how the previous administration allegedly misappropriated the money, Comrade Samuel Akhabue’s Caretaker Committee has also raised alarm over the alleged expenditure of the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (400,000) on Public Relations without obtaining necessary approval from members of the union.

Mrs. Bridgette Asemota, the embattled chairman of the union, has however denied all allegations of embezzlement saying her one year old leadership has recorded progress.

Among her achievements, she asserted was the opening of a befitting permanent secretariat of the union at Ikpoba Hill by Temboga junction, where several meetings have been held since May 2016.

She said that her refusal to connive with “disgruntled people” who led the union in the past and were yet to come to terms with the reality was the reason for the rebellion against her leadership.

“Those disgruntled people want me to share the members’ monthly contributions with them. They want to be getting double salaries even when they have left,” she explained.

Asemota, who described the meetings being held by the Comrade Samuel Akhabue-led Caretaker Committee faction as illegal, null and void, stressed that she remains the authentic chairman.
“I am not aware of any meeting. I remain the authentic chairman; the other group parading themselves is illegal.”

When contacted the former President of ASUSS, Comrade Ifaluyi Isibor (now a Permanent Secretary) in the state Public service, in a telephone interview, said his decision to intervene in the crises, was to salvage the union from the financial recklessness.

“I left the union for them when I was appointed as Permanent Secretary in the state.
“They (members) do not know how monies are spent. She (Asemota) was my deputy,” he said.

Alltimepost.com gathered that the crises rocking ASUSS have been further stoked by moves by the two main rival political actors in the state to coerce members of the union to endorse their political ambitions, ahead of the state governorship election billed for September 10, 2016.