From EFCC Detention to Locked Office: The Controversy Behind Obi Ozor’s Exit in Enugu

The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has approved the appointment of Barr. Richard Agu as Commissioner-Designate for the Enugu State Ministry of Transport, according to a public service announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia.

Agu, who currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Enugu Air, will replace Dr. Obi Ozor, whose tenure as Transport Commissioner ended abruptly in September 2026 following a controversial EFCC fraud probe and a forced resignation.

The announcement said Agu’s name has been forwarded to the Enugu State House of Assembly for screening and confirmation in accordance with the law.

Agu’s appointment comes barely a week after Ozor’s exit

Ozor, who was appointed by Governor Mbah in August 2023, was allegedly ordered to vacate his office by the SSG, Prof. Chidi Onyia, after his office at the Ministry of Transport in Independence Layout was padlocked for three days, preventing him from accessing his desk.

The trouble surrounding Ozor began weeks earlier when the state government petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud and embezzlement amounting to billions of naira.

He was subsequently arrested alongside his wife and detained at the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office for two days before they were released after records showed that he did not steal or embezzle state funds.

“When he returned to resume his work, his office was locked. Subsequently, the SSG Prof Chidi Onyia directed him to resign his appointment,” an insider source told Pecohub.

Sources suggested that some government officials became jealous of Ozor after he reportedly brokered a lucrative deal with the company that sold aircraft for the state’s carrier, EnuguAir, where he allegedly made billions of naira, and he was subsequently accused of stealing government funds.

Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Ozor was the former CEO and Co-founder of Kobo360, a prominent digital logistics platform in Africa. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School and previously worked with J.P. Morgan and Uber.

During his tenure, Ozor initiated the Multimodal Transport & BRT system, leading the roll-out of modern CNG-powered buses, the construction of world-class transport terminals, and the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

He also spearheaded traffic enforcement measures, including a ₦500,000 fine for driving against traffic to curb road accidents. A retired Permanent Secretary, Mr. Nnam Okoh, a relative of Governor Mbah, was recalled to oversee the ministry despite the presence of a serving Permanent Secretary.

The opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Enugu State had criticised Governor Mbah over the reported resignation, alleging that the administration was shrouded in secrecy and lacked transparency and accountability.

The party alleged that the administration had been operating in secrecy and accused the governor of running the state “like his private enterprise,” questioning why the state government would suspect the Transport Commissioner of wrongdoing in the procurement of aircraft for Enugu Air if due process had been followed.

Agu’s appointment signals a quick move by the Mbah administration to fill the void left by Ozor’s exit as the state pushes forward with its ambitious transport infrastructure agenda, including the Enugu Air project and the BRT system. His confirmation by the House of Assembly is expected in the coming days.