Ebonyi Governor Orders Arrest of Six Commissioners Over Contract Violations

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has reportedly ordered the arrest of six commissioners and a local government chairman over alleged violations in the execution of a housing project. The officials are accused of breaching contract terms for constructing 140 housing units intended for the Izzo and Amaze communities, displaced by the Ezilo/Ezza Ezilo communal crisis in Ishielu Local Government Area.

The commissioners affected by the order 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 had allegedly declared the commissioners wanted before their subsequent arrest.

Ilang Donatus, Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, confirmed that the arrests were made due to the officials’ and contractors’ failure to comply with contract agreements. Donatus stated that the delay in completing the housing units had disrupted Governor Nwifuru’s plans to commission the project as part of his second-anniversary celebrations.

Emphasizing the governor’s frustration over the slow pace of work, Donatus explained that the housing initiative was aimed at providing relief to victims of communal crises. He reiterated the governor’s determination to hold accountable those responsible for the project’s delay, stating, “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 these projects.”

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 the failure to complete the housing project on schedule undermines the governor’s broader development agenda for the state.

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 indicate that the Nigerian police have issued invitations to several officials who were not present during the committee’s enforcement visits.

When contacted for comments, 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 asked whether the police had invited the officials following the governor’s directive, Ukandu responded, “We don’t have any commissioner in our custody. I’m not aware of any invitation, and I have asked and 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.”