I never ordered arrest of any pensioner, Abia Commissioner for Finance insists

Following media reports that he ordered the arrest of two pensioners who allegedly visited him for a meeting in his office on Thursday, the Abia State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Aham Uko has denied the report.

Dr. Uko in a statement he personally signed and obtained by ABN TV described the report as false and malicious, insisting that he was involved in meetings outside his office on the said day.

While stating that the state Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has prioritized regular payment of pensioners to ensure that they receive their due along with other workers in the state every month, the Commissioner emphasized there no basis to order the arrest of any pensioner or any other law abiding Abian for that matter.

The Police on Thursday arrested two pensioners, Daniel Amugo and Chukwuemeka Augustus, the Chairman and Secretary of a group, called Abia State Concerned Pensioners for allegedly impersonating members of Nigeria Union of Pensioners.

Prior to their arrest, they were said to have held a meeting with the Commissioner in his office in Umuahia, a development the Commissioner denied.

Read Commissioner’s full statement

Press Statement

My attention has been drawn to publications in a section of the media alleging that I met with a group of pensioners on Thursday, January 23, 2019, in my office, and subsequently invited security agents to arrest them.

I wish to state, without fear of contradiction, that I did not meet with the said pensioners and never ordered the arrest of any of them. The story as published is false and malicious as I was involved in meetings outside my office on the said day and only read about the purported meeting with the pensioners from the media.

It is important to point out that following the directive of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, we have prioritized regular payment of pensioners to ensure that they receive their due along with other workers in the state every month. There is therefore no basis for me to order the arrest of any pensioner or any other law abiding Abian for that matter.

Thank you.

Dr Aham Uko
Honorable Commissioner for Finance,
Abia State, Nigeria.
24/1/2020