By Douglas Princemola
The Greater Imo Initiative (GII), a prominent civic watchdog group advocating for transparency and good governance in Imo State, has called for an urgent investigation into Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi over serious allegations including money laundering, treasonable statements, public misconduct, and electoral subversion.
During a press briefing held in Owerri, GII condemned Amadi’s recent actions, describing them as a direct threat to Nigeria’s democratic integrity and national stability. The group accused Amadi, who recently declared his political ambitions in Imo State, of recklessly distributing large sums of cash in public places such as university campuses, markets, and places of worship. Viral videos allegedly show Amadi spraying and dancing on Naira notes, an act that violates the Central Bank of Nigeria Act of 2007.
GII further cited the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022, which prohibits cash transactions above ₦5 million for individuals, alleging that Amadi has flagrantly violated this law. The group has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately arrest and prosecute him.
The organization also condemned Amadi’s public claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent him to destabilize Imo State, labeling the statement as both defamatory and seditious. GII warned that such rhetoric undermines public trust and damages the reputation of the presidency.
Of even greater concern are Amadi’s claims of controlling the printing of sensitive electoral materials, including ballot papers and result sheets for the 2027 Imo governorship election. Amadi allegedly stated that these materials were produced under his supervision as a contractor, with the endorsement of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu. GII called on national security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), to investigate these explosive claims and conduct raids on Amadi’s residences in Ngor Okpala and Abuja.
In a startling accusation, GII suggested that Amadi may be linked to a ritualistic cult group known as the Thirteenth Veil Brotherhood and cautioned Imo residents—especially market women—against accepting money from him due to potential spiritual risks.
The group also implicated federal lawmaker Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere in supporting Amadi’s disruptive activities, alleging that thugs under Ugochinyere’s sponsorship attacked journalists at the abandoned Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Owerri. GII demanded that the state government reclaim the NUJ building, which has become a haven for criminal elements.
Concluding the press briefing, GII reaffirmed its dedication to protecting the truth and maintaining peace in Imo State. The group urged citizens to reject “false messiahs” and “apostles of chaos” who threaten the state’s progress.
The statement was signed by Hon. Ethelbert Nnanna, Coordinator of the Greater Imo Initiative.
