A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Moses Idika, on Friday, urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to launch an immediate investigation into allegations of contract racketeering involving several government officials recently arrested on the orders of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Idika emphasized that a thorough probe would prevent further embarrassment and future mismanagement in the state.
He also called on other anti-corruption agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Code of Conduct Bureau, to investigate other officials who might have violated Ebonyi’s procurement laws.
DIP CONNECTS Online reports that Governor Nwifuru ordered the arrest of six commissioners and contractors accused of sabotaging government projects. The arrest was based on a report indicting them for allegedly undermining the administration.
The indicted officials include Prof. Omari Omaka (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu (Environment), Ifeanyi Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism), Uchenna Igwe (Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters), Dr. Moses Ekuma (Health), and Felix Igboke (Project Monitoring). Also implicated was the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Timothy Nwachi.
Reacting to the situation, Idika described the unfolding events in Ebonyi Government House as an “unfortunate eye-opener” to the stagnation the state has experienced in the past two years.
“Many residents initially thought the news was a government-sponsored ‘April Fool’ prank when it surfaced on April 1. This blatant violation of the Ebonyi State Public Procurement and Related Matters Law No. 016 of 2020 directly contradicts legal provisions barring public officials from participating in procurement processes due to conflict of interest and potential corruption risks,” Idika stated.
He further stressed the need for anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC, CCB, and ICPC, to take over the case and identify other officials who might be involved in similar fraudulent activities.
“It is crucial to remind the Ebonyi State Government, led by Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru, that governance should not be reduced to a means of rewarding political allies, family members, and cronies. Enough is enough! Ebonyi’s public resources should not be used to build private business empires,” he added.
