...Call For The Suspension Of Ogunbos Camp Payments

Commander Ebiware Maxen, a member of the Ogunbos camp, has called on Paul Eris, popularly known as Ogunbos, to be ashamed of himself for allegedly coming out to accuse and label other leaders in the region negatively.

Ebiware described Ogunbos as a “barbaric” leader and alleged that his actions nearly destroyed his own community before he was eventually banished from Peremabiri.

According to Ebiware, Ogunbos became increasingly wicked and abusive after serving as a General of the Peremabiri Camp during the Niger Delta struggle. He said that following the Niger Delta peace process, Ogunbos allegedly became increasingly controlling in the community, insisting that matters concerning Peremabiri Kingdom had to pass through him.

Ebiware alleged that the traditional ruler, Community Development Committee (CDC) chairman and youth chairman were all expected to follow Ogunbos’ instructions, claiming that anyone who refused to submit to his authority risked facing serious consequences.

He further alleged that royalties and other benefits coming to Peremabiri were controlled by Ogunbos before whatever remained was distributed to members of the community. According to him, people who were considered disloyal were allegedly subjected to physical abuse and humiliation.

“People were beaten, youths were beaten, elders were humiliated, and many atrocities began to take place in the community,” Ebiware alleged.

He said the situation eventually became unbearable for residents, prompting the community to rise against Ogunbos and drive him away from the land. 

Ebiware claimed that Ogunbos was subsequently banished to the extent that he could not bury his own father in Peremabiri when the man died and was instead forced to bury him in a strange land.

Ebiware also accused Ogunbos of allegedly withholding payments due to himself, other commanders, Peremabiri people who participated in the camp and individuals from other communities who were part of the camp.

According to him, the alleged payments have been withheld since 2013.

“How can someone who calls himself a leader be this wicked toward his own people?” Ebiware asked. He said the former agitators suffered together during the Niger Delta struggle, participated in the disarmament process and went through the Presidential Amnesty Programme, but are now allegedly being denied the benefits they believe are due to them.

Ebiware warned that those affected would continue to pursue the matter through lawful means and alleged that Ogunbos would eventually be held accountable for the money he claims was withheld from them.

“It may not be today, but definitely Ogunbos will pay for every single dime he has stolen from us,” he said, adding that those affected were preparing to pursue the matter and would seek the intervention of the law.

Ebiware also called on the Presidential Amnesty Office to investigate his allegations. He alleged that Ogunbos was diverting funds belonging to more than 140 people and urged the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to suspend payments to the Ogunbos camp pending a proper investigation.