Commissioner arrested in Government House over alleged fraud

The commissioner for empowerment and job creation in Ebonyi State, Barr. Uchenna Orji was on Wednesday arrested for an alleged fraud bordering on financial mismanagement.

Orji was allegedly arrested by unidentified security operatives, who stormed Government House Abakaliki, while exco-meeting was on-going.

An eyewitness, who monitored the drama when the commissioner was being whisked away from the exco-chambers by two hefty security men, said the commissioner’s eye turned red as he was ordered to go out from the exco-chambers.

The sources further stated that, the security operatives, first took away some government files that were in the possession of the commissioner and escorted him to a nearby hilux van and zoomed off.

Investigation revealed that the arrest was allegedly ordered by the state governor, Chief David Umahi.

It was also gathered that the Governor has appointed one Mr. Joseph Obasi to replace the embattled commissioner, Uchenna Orji.

When contacted, the commissioner for information and state orientation, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, said the alleged arrest was not part of the state executive council meeting deliberation and that he cannot say anything regarding the matter.

“The matter, the alleged arrest of Barr. Uchenna Orji, commissioner for empowerment and job creation, with regards to the issues of funding, was not part of the Exco deliberation today and I have nothing to say about that. You are in charge of investigation, you find out.

“We have nothing to say as government regarding the arrest of Uchenna Orji, But what I know is that one Joseph Obasi has been appointed as the acting commissioner for empowerment and job creation,” he stated.

Responding, the Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer, Asp, Loveth Odah when contacted, said that the arrest of the commissioner was carried out by the DSS and not the police.

However, all efforts to reach the DSS office as of the time of filling this report was abortive.

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