Crisis hit amalgamated union over alleged fraud

By OsaigbovoIguobaro Benin

The Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical And Recreational Services Employees (AUPTRE), Edo state Chapter, has been engulfed in crisis.
This followed alleged embezzlement of union’s funds running into millions of naira by some member executives led by its Chairman and Secretary, Comrade Julius Erhauyi and Morrison Igho.
On Wednesday morning, some members of the association held a meeting and impeached the duo and elected, Comrade Osilukpon Israel as an acting state Chairman of AUPTRE.
The members cited alleged failure of Comrade Julius Erhauyi-led executives to give a comprehensive account of receipt and payments they made while in office in addition to alleged abuse of office high-handedness, corruption as the reasons for their actions.
Addressing newsmen, the acting Chairman of AUPTRE, Comrade Osilukpon Israel who read the resolution of the meeting on Wednesday said his members have procured a court injunction suspending the 2018 state Delegates Conference which is billed for Thursday in Benin City.
Also speaking, the state treasurer of the association, Comrade (Mrs) Felicia Okungbowa, recalled a similar meeting held by members of state executives Council (SEC) on Tuesday, where they unanimously agreed to sack the executives.
Responding, Comrade Erhauyi, argued that the SEC has no Constitutional power to impeach him and his Secretary, Comrade Morrison Igho.
He denied unlawful withdrawal of the union’s funds for personal use.
He said the aggrieved members were afraid of defeat in the forthcoming union’s elections which he claimed he did not skew in favour of preferred Candidates.
The Zonal Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical And Recreational Services Employees (AUPTRE), Comrade EdaidikeLadipo, promised to mediate over the crisis which he described as a family affair.