Ebonyi Governor orders arrest of commissioners over alleged contract breach

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has directed the arrest of six commissioners and a local government chairman over their alleged involvement in a contract breach.

The governor issued the directive on Monday, stating that the officials had violated contract terms related to the construction of 140 housing units in the Izzo and Amaze communities of Ishielu Local Government Area.

The arrested commissioners were Professor Omari Omaka, (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu, (Environment) Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Ifeanyi Ogbuewu.

Others are: the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Uchenna Igwe, Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, Commissioner for Project Monitoring, Felix Igboke and the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr Timothy Nwach.

It was gathered that the affected commissioners were declared wanted by the state government before they were arrested.

Sources within the government alleged that the affected commissioners and contractors are sabotaging the efforts and plan of the governor to commission the 140 Housing Units for Izzo and Amaze communities to mark his second anniversary in the state.

Speaking on the arrest, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilisations, Ebonyi Central, Mrs. Maria Okohu, said that the non-completion of projects by the contractor and the failure of some of the commissioners to supervise them as directed by the governor was an act of sabotage.

The governor insisted that the arrest would continue until all the commissioners and contractors involved were brought to book and as well do the needful.

Sources said the police have reportedly invited some fleeing commissioners and contractors connected to the contract.