The Ebonyi State Government has dismissed reports claiming that Governor Francis Nwifuru ordered the arrest of five commissioners due to delays and breaches in housing project contracts. The government described the report as "false and unfounded."
In a statement issued by Chief Donatus Ilang, Chairman of the Ebonyi Executive Council (EXCO) committee overseeing two key state housing projects, it was clarified that no commissioners were arrested. The statement was made in Abakaliki, where Ilang, who also serves as the Commissioner for Border, Peace, and Conflict Resolution, responded to the false rumors.
Ilang confirmed that the governor expressed his displeasure over the delays in the projects but emphasized that no arrest had been made, urging the public to disregard the misleading report. “No commissioner was arrested, and you can verify this with the police and other security agencies,” he said, labeling the news as “fake.”
The projects in question involve the construction of 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 added that the commissioners involved had been instructed to provide relevant information to address the issue with the contractors responsible for the delays.
The government remains committed to ensuring that the housing projects are completed in accordance with the contractual terms, aiming to provide much-needed relief to the affected communities.
The Ebonyi State Police Command also confirmed that no arrests had been made. DSP Joshua Ukandu, the Public Relations Officer of the Ebonyi Police Command, reiterated in an interview that "we did not arrest any commissioner."
