Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has reportedly ordered the arrest of six commissioners and a local government chairman over alleged contract violations.
The officials are accused of breaching the terms of constructing 140 housing units for the Izzo and Amaze communities, which were displaced by the Ezilo/Ezza Ezilo communal crisis in Ishielu Local Government Area, according to Vanguard.
The affected commissioners include Professor Omari Omaka (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu (Environment), Ifeanyi Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism), Uchenna Igwe (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters), Moses Ekuma (Health), and Felix Igboke (Project Monitoring).
Additionally, the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr. Timothy Nwachi, has reportedly been suspended.
The state government reportedly declared the commissioners wanted before their eventual arrest.
Commenting on the development, Ilang Donatus, Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, stated that the action was taken due to the officials’ and contractors’ failure to adhere to contract terms.
Donatus noted that the officials are delaying the housing project, which Governor Nwifuru had planned to commission in celebration of his second anniversary in office.
Donatus emphasised the governor’s frustration over the slow pace of construction, noting that the housing initiative was designed to provide relief to victims of communal crises.
He was quoted as saying, “The governor is not happy over the pace of the work, which ought to have been completed. The government has decided to clamp down on the contractors and commissioners who were mandated to supervise those projects.
“As you can see, our governor is a man with a passionate heart, he likes giving succour, hence the building of those houses for the victims of the communal crisis. He is not happy that the project is delayed and has ordered to arrest of all the commissioners who are supposed to ensure the speedy completion of the housing units.
“The commissioners arrested were: Professor Omari Omaka, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Commissioner for Environment, Victor Chukwu, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Ifeanyi Ogbuewu, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftancy Matters, Uchenna Igwe, Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, Commissioner for Project Monitoring, Felix Igboke and the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr. Timothy Nwachi.”
Adding to the concerns, Mrs. Maria Okohu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization (Ebonyi Central) and a member of the Executive Council Committee, described the situation as an act of sabotage.
She stressed that failure to complete the housing project on schedule undermines the governor’s development agenda for the state.
In response, the state government has vowed to continue its crackdown, warning that further arrests will be made until all implicated commissioners and contractors are held accountable.
Reports also suggest that the Nigerian police have issued invitations to several officials who were not present during the committee’s enforcement visits.
Upon inquiry, Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, stated that he had no knowledge of the arrest or detention of the accused commissioners and the suspended council chairman.
When questioned about whether the Command had invited the officials following the governor’s directive, the police spokesperson responded, “We don’t have any commissioner in our custody. I’m not aware of any invitation and I have asked and I was told we don’t have any commissioner in custody. I will still ask about the invitation but for now, I don’t know anything of such.”
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