Enugu— Enugu State House of Assembly has said it would establish an endowment fund for the five children of their late member, Mr Emmanuel Maduabu, who died in an auto crash on August 17.

The member also lost his wife, Mrs Eugenia Maduabu, in the crash which occurred on August 3 at Nenwe Junction on Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The Speaker, Mr Eugene Odoh, made the pronouncement during a valedictory session in honour of the deceased lawmaker on Wednesday in Enugu.

Odoh said the Assembly would raise the endowment in liaison with the burial committee, adding that it would be a post-burial activity.

He, however, said the endowment did not preclude scholarship from individuals, organisations or government, pending whenever they attained maturity.

The speaker appeared not convinced that Maduabu’s death was a normal accident but could have been induced as he went down memory lane to narrate how the late member had been troubled in his political career.
He said: “We believe that life has not treated him very well. First, the first official car given to him as a member was snatched by some Okada riders.

“When it was replaced by the governor after six months, the new 406 was again snatched and burnt by unknown persons.

“We later saw the wreckage of the burnt car. We recognised it through the numbers engraved on the front and back wind shield.

“Even when he was comatose, lying critically ill at the hospital, following the accident that eventually cost him his life, some people in his constituency even went ahead at Awgu West to commence the quest to replace him.

“I was privy to a comment by one of them, who was over heard as having said that the person to stop him was now dead.’’

The Speaker said this was the reason the endowment had become necessary.

In his own contribution, Mr Mike Onyeze, PDP Igbo-Eze North, said: “Unfortunately, he belongs to a profession, where your best friend could be your worst enemy.

“His children are too little and may need to be raised outside their area so that they can survive. Right now, they are helpless and members must contribute for their upkeep.’’

Christopher Ugwu of PDP Enugu East 11, in his tribute said: “The process of his death is confusing. God will punish those who caused it.’’