The Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has moved ‘a vote of no confidence’ on its alleged acting-Chairman, Barrister Clifford Thomas, on the grounds of financial impropriety and misappropriation.
A communiqué signed by the Interim Committee Chairman, Barrister Ibrahim M. T; Secretary, Barrister Inibehe Effiong, and a member, Barrister Ekere S. Ebong, said “The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Akwa Ibom State Branch held its general meeting on Friday 10th November, 2017 at its state secretariat at No. 15, NEPA Line, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State where fundamental issues were deliberated upon and pertinent decisions unanimously taken by the members with the chief aim of restoring sanity and the rule of law in the CLO.”
“Members’ deliberated on a variety of issues including the absence of leadership to steer the affairs of the organization, necessity for a fresh/lawful leadership and membership admission/expansion and arrived at the following conclusions/resolutions: 1. A vote of no confidence was passed on Barr. Clifford Thomas the former Acting Chairman of the Interim Executive of the CLO, as it were, who despite the long expiration of his six month acting chairmanship, had continued to illegally parade himself as the chairman of the CLO in Akwa Ibom State for the following reasons: i. That Mr. Clifford Thomas was only appointed in an acting capacity for a limited period of six months but he continued to perpetuate and impose himself as the ‘’chairman’’ of the CLO in Akwa Ibom State for over six years without any legal backing. ii. That Mr. Thomas had effectively monopolized, personalized and merged the CLO with his private law firm and practice in the most unacceptable manner. iii. That for the past six years, no meeting of the CLO was called by Mr. Thomas except on two occasions which were bedeviled by controversies. iv. That Mr. Thomas has not rendered proper account of his activities whilst parading himself as the chairman of the CLO, etc.”
“ Members unanimously affirmed that the tenure of the Interim Executive led by Mr. Thomas, as it were, had since expired, elapsed and no longer existed in line with the CLO Constitution. Therefore, Mr. Thomas and other members of the expired interim executive have ceased to hold office(s).”
“Members unanimously appointed an Interim Executive to manage and run the affairs of the CLO for a period of Sixty (60) days during which period election shall be conducted into the offices in the CLO, Akwa Ibom State. The Interim Committee has Barr. Ibrahim M. T. as Acting Chairman, Mr. Inibehe Effiong Esq. as Secretary and Barr. Ekere S. Ebong as member.”
“Members approved the admission of new members into the CLO and urged spirited members of the public who are interested in human rights to join the organization,” the communiqué concluded.
