Ebonyi govt denies reports of Commissioners’ arrest

The government of Ebonyi State has described reports that Gov. Francis Nwifuru ordered the arrest of five Commissioners over delay in delivery and breach of contracts as false.

Donatus Ilang, Chairman of the Ebonyi Executive Council (EXCO) committee on Supervision and Completion of two state housing projects, made the denial in a statement on Wednesday.

The projects are the 140 housing units for the Izzo and Amaze communities, which were displaced by the Ezilo/Ezza Ezilo communal crisis in Ishielu Local Government Area.

Ilang, who is also the Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, described the reports as fake news.

He said: “No commissioner was arrested, and you can confirm this from the police and other security agencies.

“The people writing such fake news are doing so from their imagination.

“We informed them of the Governor‘s displeasure over delays in the project and resolved to take drastic actions on the defaulters.”

He noted that the commissioners promised to furnish the committee with relevant information which would enable it to confront the erring contractors.

Joshua Ukandu, spokesperson for the state command, said no commissioner was in Police custody.

“We did not arrest any commissioner,” he said.