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By Amos Odhe, Yenagoa
Former aide to two former managing directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Barr. Alabh George Turnah, Sunday celebrated his victory over alleged money laundry and other charges level against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the victory of the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri in the recently conducted gubernatorial elections in the state.
Turnah who described his travails in the hands of the anti-graft agency as persecution said it was an honour and rare privilege to be amongst the ‘free citizens’ to celebrate his liberty from the alleged persecution by the agency.
The thanksgiving and harvest service was themed, ‘My Season of Victory unopposed’ and was held at the Christian Church of God Mission (CCGM), Bayelsa and Rivers district which had in attendance political appointees, the clergy, friends and family members, all commending Turnah for his steadfastness while his trial period lasted.
Recanting his ordeal, the celebrant said for seven years, begining from 2017 through September 2023, the EFCC filed a 23 count charges suit against him without being able to provide evidence on the reasons adduced for the charges preferred against him.
He noted that as a former aide to the two former NDDC managing directors, he does not have powers to approve funds for projects, but yet soon after his time in the commission, the anti-graft agency launched a manhunt against him, his wife and other innocent close associates of his with the aim of imprisoning them, saying in all this, God saw him through and made him a free man, hence the thanksgiving service to glorify God.
“Soon after the end of the tenures of my bosses, the two MDs of the NDDC and end of the former President Jonathan’s administration, the EFCC started manhunting me. They preferred a 23 count charge against me from 2017 to 2023. They even went as far as confiscating all my assets and properties, they hunted and arrested my friends and associates because they wanted to block all the places where help and support could come from.
“But after seven whole years, the EFCC couldn’t provide a single evidence before the court on any of the charges they preferred against me. I want to thank God and all who stood by me during my travails”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has tasked youths on making meaning out of their lives, noting that from the beginning when he first met Turnah as a young man, he knew he was destined for greatness.
Represented by the Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Pst (Dr) Peter Akpe, Governor Diri urged the people to see their maligning and persecution even when they were innocent as a sign of blessing in disguise.
“From the beginning when I first met Turnah and some other youths in this state doing their students unionism, I said to myself, ‘these ones would go far in life’.
“I want you to see your persecution as a sign of God’s blessing and uplifting in disguise”, Diri said.
In his speech earlier, Chairman of the occasion and the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Pabara Igwele, described Turnah as a man with the fear of the Lord.
He stated that Turnah’s simple life style and meekness has endeared him to many, noting also that upon his travails in the hands of the anti-graft agency the celebrant has continued to glorify and worship God.
In same vein, in his sermon, the Spiritual father of the occasion and Spiritual leader of the Christian Church of God Mission (CCGM), Bishop Daniel Ihi who was represented by a Senior clergy of the Church, tasked Christians to service and worship God with all their source.
The Spiritual leader who took his sermon from the book of Psalms 91: 1-16, noted that God has assured all those who worship and fear him that He would continually guide and protect them amidst dangers and threats to their lives.
