Governor Nwifuru Arrests Six Commissioners, Suspends LG Chairman, Gives Reasons

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has ordered the arrest of six commissioners and the suspension of the chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area over allegations of breaching contract terms for the construction of 140 housing units in Izzo and Amaze communities.

The arrested officials 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). The Afikpo Local Government Chairman, Timothy Nwachi, has also been suspended. Reports indicate that the affected commissioners were declared wanted by the state government before their arrests.

Speaking in Abakaliki, Ilang Donatus, Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, stated that the government acted because the commissioners and contractors had allegedly violated the terms of their contracts. The delays in project completion, he said, were hindering the governor’s plan to commission the housing units to mark his two-year anniversary in office.

Governor Nwifuru expressed his frustration over the slow pace of work on the housing project, which was intended to provide relief for victims of communal crises. He emphasized that those responsible for the delays would be held accountable.

Maria Okohu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization, Ebonyi Central, described the failure of the contractors and commissioners to meet the government’s expectations as an act of sabotage. She stated that arrests would continue until all those involved were brought to justice and the project was completed.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police have reportedly issued invitations to several other commissioners and contractors who were not at home when the committee visited.