Ebonyi House of Assembly sets up committee to probe alleged funds’ mismanagement by Governor Elechi

Ebonyi State House of Assembly yes­terday set up a committee to inves­tigate the petition against Governor Martin Elechi over alleged mismanage­ment of funds, award of contracts and establish­ment of companies without due process.

The House in a petition forwarded to it by Clement Odaa alleged that the gover­nor established Ebonyi Ce­ment Company that did not function, using the names of a governorship candidate in the state and his wards as shareholders of the company.

The petition also alleged that a governorship candidate in the state abandoned the 10-storey World Trade Cen­tre project, adding that the governor allegedly increased the contract sum of the in­ternational market project awarded to the same candi­date.

It was also alleged that the Commissioner for Local Government opened a secret joint account in a private name, while the son of the governor allegedly owned highest shares in an oil and gas company with state fund.

The House Speaker, Chuk­wuma Nwazunku, after the presentation of the petition before the House by the act­ing leader, set up a commit­tee headed by Obasi Odefa to probe the allegation.

Supporting the probe, Odefa described the allega­tions as a shame to the state executive, saying the petition was weighty. He said Sec­tion 128 sub-section 2b of the constitution gave the As­sembly power to investigate and expose corrupt practices in the state.

The Minority Leader of the House, Enyi C. Enyi, said the allegation against the governor was an impeach­able offence. He lamented the way and manner public funds were being misman­aged and urged the commit­tee to thoroughly investigate the allegation.