Ebonyi gov orders arrest of six commissioners over project delays

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has directed the arrest of six commissioners and contractors accused of obstructing government projects.

The decision comes after an investigative report implicated the officials in actions allegedly undermining the administration’s efforts.

The commissioners affected by the order 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 named for arrest is the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr. Timothy Nwachi.

This latest move follows a pattern of strict disciplinary measures under Governor Nwifuru’s leadership. Previously, on March 18, 2025, he suspended three commissioners—Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Environment), and Ikeuwa Omebe (Rural Development)—for failing to attend to official duties. Within a day of that suspension, two aides—Nnannna Nwangele (Special Assistant on Airport Security) and Felix Okemini (Senior Special Assistant on Security, Ebonyi North)—were dismissed for misconduct.

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The directive to arrest the commissioners was disclosed by Dr. Ilang Donatus, Chairman of the State Council Committee on the Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, during a press briefing in Abakaliki on Tuesday. He explained that the move was necessary as the contractors had failed to meet their contractual obligations.

“The governor is not happy with the pace of the work, which ought to have been completed,” Donatus stated.

“The government has decided to clamp down on the contractors and commissioners mandated to supervise those projects. As you can see, our governor is a man with a passionate heart, he likes giving succour, hence the building of those houses for the victims of the communal crisis.

“He is not happy that the project is delayed and has ordered that all the commissioners who are supposed to ensure the speedy completion of the housing units are arrested,” he added.

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