Ebonyi State Arrests 7 Commissioners, LG Chair for Alleged Contract Scams
The Ebonyi State Government has arrested 7 commissioners and 1 Local Government Chairman for alleged contract delays and breach of agreement.
The arrests were made by the state’s anti-corruption agency, following an investigation into the activities of the affected officials.
According to sources, the arrested officials were found to have engaged in sharp practices, including contract inflation, non-execution of projects, and failure to deliver on contractual agreements. The state government had awarded contracts for various projects, including road construction, healthcare facilities, and educational infrastructure, but the officials allegedly failed to deliver on time, leading to unnecessary delays and wastage of public funds.
The arrested officials include:
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 Chieftaincy 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,”
The state government has vowed to take drastic measures to ensure that those found guilty of corruption are brought to book and made to face the full weight of the law. The arrests are seen as a significant step towards restoring transparency and accountability in the state’s governance system.
Reacting to the arrests, the Governor of Ebonyi State,
Francis Ogbonna Erishi Nwifuru
stated that his administration will not tolerate any form of corruption or malfeasance. “We will not hesitate to take action against anyone found to have engaged in corrupt practices, regardless of their position or status,” he said.
The investigation into the activities of the arrested officials is ongoing, and the state government has promised to make public the findings and recommendations of the investigation panel. The arrested officials are currently being detained by the state’s anti-corruption agency and are expected to be charged to court soon.
The arrests have been widely commended by the people of Ebonyi State, who see it as a bold step towards tackling corruption and ensuring that those in positions of authority are held accountable for their actions.
The arrests were made at the state secretariat in Abakaliki, the state capital, after the officials reported for work on Tuesday morning. They were subsequently whisked away by officials of the state’s anti-corruption agency and are currently being held in custody.
