Massob expels its president Ralph Uwazuruike for embezzling N100m of its funds

MOVEMENT for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (Massob) president Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has been expelled from the organisation for allegedly embezzling N100m (£330,000) of its funds.

 

In a shock development, Massob decided to not only depose Chief Uwazuruike and replace him with Uchenna Madu but also expelled their former president. He is alleged to have raised money in the name of Biafra, which is campaigning to secede from Nigeria and convert the cash to personal use.

 

Yesterday, Massob issued a statement warning Chief Uwazuruike to stop parading himself as its leader or using the name of Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, the former Biafran leader to dupe Ndigbo or garner personal fame to pursue his political ambition. As part of the changes, Massob also announced Ibem Ugwuoke as its new national secretary.

 

A Massob spokesman said: "We expelled Uwazuruike for defrauding us through the introduction of the Biafra international passport, a gross and dubious means through which he generated about N100m for himself. The over N40m realised from the dedication of the Biafran war veterans home in Okwe, built by Massob members, was also diverted to Uwazuruike’s personal purse."

 

Chief Uwazuruike's expulsion comes at a time when Biafran protests are in the rise across Nigeria, with rallies being held up and down Igbloand calling for secession. Massob and the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) have succeeded in attracting thousands of Igbo youths to attend their marches and demand secession.

 

Their protests have been sparked by the arrest of Radio Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu who was apprehended by security men last month and faces terrorism charges. Both Massob and Ipob have insisted that Mr Kanu must be released unconditionally for them to call off their protests.