by Oge Okonkwo
The executive chairman of Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom state, Nse Ntuen, has been arrested by the Maryland state police department, USA, on Friday, for smuggling $82, 000 into the United States without declaring it with the Customs officials both in Nigeria and the US.
Mr. Ntuen, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), was arrested at the BWI International Airport, Baltimore.
Leadership reports:
When contacted by our correspondent, Mr. Strike Thomas, an official of the Maryland State Police Department at the airport, said that the suspect only declared $5,000 when he got to the airport, adding that it was further security checks that indicated that he was still having some bundles of US Dollars in his bag.
The official who agreed to be quoted pressed further that the chairman who flew into the United Stated from London, United Kingdom was later taken to their investigation room where an additional $77, 000 was found in his bag.
It was gathered that Hon. Nse Ntuen accepted that he truly smuggled the money into the USA with the aim to use it as donations at the just-concluded Annual International Convention of the Akwa Ibom Indigenes in the United States and Canada which was held at the Marriot Hotel in Washington, DC.
The suspect was later made to write and sign a statement where he accepted that he brought in items which he failed to declared to both the Nigrian and United States Custom agencies.
The official, who spoke with our correspondent, further disclosed that the Akwa Ibom state ALGON Chairman who was held for over five hours was later released after the whole $82, 000 he admitted to have smuggled into the country was confiscated by the Maryland State Police Department.
Where is Naija heading to our so called leaders re stealing all the contry,s money yet goin free witout any punishment.If jst a little can b given to the masses poverty won't b the oda of the day.
The guy is ideat.
What do u expect, like governor like chairman. The signature of PDP administration. One day all of this will end when we decide to stand up for our right and demand accountability from our rulers.
Now That Money Will Not Return To Nigeria And The Idiot Will Come Back To A Rousing Welcome Ceremony By His People And Akwa Ibom Govt Will Neither Put Him On Try Too,What A Shame!
Is this how the Local Govt autonomy should operate.Please the upper house do not be in a hurry to agree with the lower house on this.
Typically Nigerian politician. Wasting away our resources, globe-trotting for no societal gain. Incapable of duplicating the excellent infrastructure he saw abroad! Only travels to steal & waste!! Is this what they seek direct funds from the federation account for?? Nse Ntuen is certainly not yet matured enough to control such finances. I pity Essien Udim LGA & its indigenes