Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has suspended the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Timothy Nwachi, and ordered the arrest of six commissioners over allegations of contract violations and failure to deliver a major housing project. The affected commissioners—Omari Omaka (Tertiary Education), Victor Chukwu (Environment), Ifeanyi Ogbuewu (Culture and Tourism), Uchenna Igwe (Local Government & Chieftaincy Matters), Moses Ekuma (Health), and Felix Igboke (Project Monitoring)—were allegedly involved in the stalled construction of 140 housing units meant for the Izzo and Amaze communities.
Government sources say the project was supposed to be a major highlight of Nwifuru’s second anniversary but has suffered continuous delays due to poor oversight and contractual breaches. There are also reports that some of the indicted officials and contractors have gone into hiding to evade arrest.
The Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the housing project, Ilang Donatus, stated that the governor has lost patience over the situation and has ordered law enforcement to take decisive action. He described the governor as a compassionate leader who initiated the project to provide homes for victims of communal conflict and emphasized that those responsible for the setbacks will be held accountable.
Security agencies have reportedly been tasked with tracking down officials who are attempting to avoid arrest.
