Opolo—Foubai Pereyi Esq, legal counsel to 6 individuals suspended by the leadership of KEFFES Rural Development Foundation (KRDF), has withdrawn his services and tendered an apology over his involvement in the crisis within the Organization.
In his letter of withdrawal and apology dated 9th of November, 2021, Pereyi claimed that he was wrongly briefed by his clients.
He also denied any involvement in the issuance of a press statement over the lingering crisis within the foundation.
Similarly, a member of the foundation, representing Fishtown community, Mr Noel Ikonikomo, who was appointed as secretary of the parallel executive, has tendered an apology pleading to be readmitted into the organisation.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Mathew Selepri, Chairman of KRDF, Ikonikomo stated that “Please pardon me for this mistake as to err is human and to forgive is divine.
“I wish to appeal to all the members of KRDF that my suspension be reviewed. Kindly pardon me and reinstate my benefits.”
Two weeks ago, six members of the organization were suspended over the alleged wrongful interpretation of a court order from a Bayelsa State High Court and attempted to illegally change the leadership.
A member, Comrade Tibiebi Woinemi Amadein had filed a suit against Mr. Mathew Selepri at the Bayelsa State High Court, Oporoma division.
The court ordered that KRDF conduct another election and a stay of execution motion was filed before the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Sources familiar with the case told mangrovepen.ng that the High Court in its ruling did not declare the claimant, Tibiebi Woinemi Amadein as Chairman or executive of the KRDF.
But the claimant allegedly in defiance to the ruling of the court had written a letter to Chevron Oil limited claiming victory and setting up a parallel executive of the foundation.
Meanwhile, members of the Foundation, after an emergency meeting in Yenagoa on Saturday, suspended Messrs Tibiebi Woinemi Amadein, Kofa Murphy Daniel, Noel Ikonikomo, Christopher Longlife, Mrs Amina James and Ebitare Joseph.
The meeting had in attendance, 26 out of the 32 members of KRDF and was presided over by Sele-epri Matthew, chairman of the organization.
In a statement issued by its secretary, Ngozi Amakiri, the KRDF accused the 6 suspended members of gross misconduct and impunity which has caused serious disaffection and has greatly affected the public image of the organization.
According to the statement, the six indicted members will have their membership suspended indefinitely without benefit.
The statement reads in part:
“The court at no time or place declare Tibiebi Amadein the eventual winner as this was never part of the issues or prayers in the process filled by the claimant.”
“The leadership of the house frowns at the following members Messr Zilpah Osaisai, Decca perekunakuna and Ebi think Williams who ignorantly worked with the claimant and attempted an unlawful change of leadership”.
“That the said three members of Keffes who openly apologized to the house and asked for forgiveness be pardoned accordingly.
“That the house by way of a motion after deliberating on the evil and unpatriotic actions of Messrs Tibiebi made, Kofa Murphy Daniel, Noel Ikonikomo, Christopher Longlife, Amina James and Ebitare Joseph his resolved that given the impunity of their actions which has caused serious disaffection and negative publicity on the body, be accordingly suspended from the membership of keffes foundation without benefit indefinitely. ”
“That the house unanimously passed a VOTE OF CONFIDENCE on the Sele-Epri led government and assured them of their absolute unflinching support.”
