Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has 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 ordered for arrest was the Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Mr Timothy Nwachi.
The governor’s stern measures come after a series of previous disciplinary actions, highlighting his resolve to maintain integrity within the state’s leadership.
Earlier, on March 18, 2025, the governor suspended three commissioners—Solomon Azi (Grants and Donor Agencies), Victor Chukwu (Environment), and Ikeuwa Omebe (Rural Development)—for absenteeism from official duties.
Less than 24 hours after suspending the three commissioners, the governor dismissed two aides—Nnannna Nwangele (Special Assistant on Airport Security) and Felix Okemini (Senior Special Assistant on Security, Ebonyi North)—for gross misconduct.
The arrest order for the six commissioners was revealed by the Chairman of the State Council Committee on Izzo and Amaze Housing Project, Dr Ilang Donatus, during a briefing in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Tuesday.
He said the arrest became expedient because the state government felt the contractors had breached the terms and conditions of the contract.
“The governor is not happy with the pace of the work, which ought to have been completed.
“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 said.
