Investigate Fraud in HMB, SHS, Others – Group Urges Governor Okowa

An anti-corruption group in Delta state, Delta Crusader Against Corruption (DCAC) have called on the Government of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to investigate series of alleged fraud going on in the Delta state Hospital Management Board, Asaba.

The group in a press statement issued after its meeting in Sapele, Tuesday April 17, signed by its President Chief James Onosakponome and Secretary Deacon Enuma Uzo, urged the state government to check alleged mafia-like activities in the board.

They accused one Ebo Keseme Daniel, Secretary Hospital Service, SHS, Delta State Hospital Management Board Asaba of aiding fraudulent activities in the board for personal gratification.

The group alleged that one Mrs Caroline Azegbo, Administrator, Central Hospital Sapele, allegedly falsified her aged from all available records, from her bank account, school and civil service records.

According to the statement; “from screening by Hackerbella it was discovered that Mrs Caroline Azegbo falsified her aged because the dates of birth on her bank account, school and civil service records were completely different.

“Her salary was seized for over 5 months late last year, but sadly instead of been sanctioned, Mr Ebo Keseme Daniel, Secretary Hospital Service, SHS, as usual used his influence to clear the woman, alleging that the governor is interested in her case.

“To make matters worse, the current chairman of the Delta State Hospital Management Board, Asaba, Dr Olanrewaju Odidi for fear of victimization always endorses any decision taken by Ebo Keseme, this have turned the board into cult-like board where Ebo Keseme’s word is law.

“The action of Mrs Azigbo who allegedly has the backing of Ebo Keseme, is causing industrial disharmony at the Central Hospital Sapele, where she can transfer any staff or uses her lover to harass anyone who disobeys her command.

“We are therefore calling on the Governor, the Commissioner for Health, the Management of Hackerbella to investigate these allegations, and others to bring any person or persons involved to justice.”

Recall that one Mr Efe Iyanu, an alleged lover of Mrs. Azegbo, on January 26th, 2018 assaulted a staff of the hospital Mr Lewis Oghueh, while the Medical Director, Dr. Peter Edevbie who invited the two men to sort-out an issue watched helplessly.  

Following the misgiving and tension the incident generated in the Hospital, the Director Hospital Service, Delta State Hospital Management Board queried the Medical Director who then hurriedly set-up a 5-man administrative panel to investigate the matter.

The 5-man panel led by Dr. Aragbah had since submitted its report to the Medical Director, and as part of their recommendations, recommended punitive action of two steps demotion and transfer for Mrs. Azegbo, who ordinarily should face outright dismissal for bringing a third party to assault a staff, in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

But in a deft move, Mrs Azegbo with the help of Ebo Keseme Daniel, quashed the recommendations of the panel and also went a step ahead to transfer some top hospital management staff, who they considered as not cooperative in the current saga.