A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Moses Idika, on Friday, called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to commence an immediate investigation into the alleged involvement of some government officials recently arrested on the order of Governor Francis Nwifuru for contract racketeering.
Idika, who made the appeal in a statement issued in Abuja, disclosed that a proper probe would save the state from embarrassment and future mismanagement.
The PDP chieftain also urged other anti-graft agencies, such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Tribunal, as well as the Code of Conduct Bureau, to go after other suspected officials who may also be involved in flagrant violation of Ebonyi procurement laws.
Pecohub reports that the governor ordered the arrest of six commissioners and contractors allegedly sabotaging government projects in the state.
The arrest order followed a report indicting the commissioners for subtly working against the government.
The affected commissioners included 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 indicted was the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Timothy Nwachi.
Reacting, Idika raised concern that the drama happening in Ebonyi Government House was an ‘unfortunate eye-opener’ on why the state has drastically retrogressed to the abyss of stagnation in the last two years.
He said, “Many residents felt it was a government-sponsored ‘April Fool’ prank when the news filtered into town on April 1. This is a direct affront to the Ebonyi State Public Procurement and Related Matters Law No. 016 of 2020, which expressly bars public officials from engaging in such procurement processes as it poses a serious conflict of interest and predisposes such officials to engage in corrupt practices.
“Based on the foregoing, it has become imperative to invite not just security agencies but anti-graft agencies, including the EFCC, CCB and ICPC, to immediately take over the case of the indicted commissioners and also fish out other government officials that may be involved in similar contract racketeering.
“It is also instructive that we remind Ebonyi State Government led by Governor Ogbonna Nwifuru that governance should not be turned to a bazaar to settle political acolytes, family members and cronies. Enough is Enough! Ebonyi public resources should not be used to build private business empires!”