Ebonyi commissioner’s sack: Odii threatens lawsuit over alleged embezzlement

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has said that the sack of the former Commissioner for Works, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, is not enough.

He insisted that those responsible for the management of public funds must give a comprehensive account of their stewardship.

Odii, who spoke through his spokesperson, Chief Emmanuel Igwe demanded full disclosure of the funds allegedly expended on the 627 kilometres of roads reportedly constructed by the Ebonyi State Government.

He called for the publication of the bidding processes, procurement records, payments, variations and certificates generated for the projects.

Odii also demanded explanations on expenditure relating to the Vanco Flyover, ICT University, Oferekpe, Aeronautic University, Onueke, the controversial two-kilometre road project and duplexes reportedly built for traditional rulers.

According to him, the state government should also disclose its FAAC receipts, allocations to local governments and development centres, actual receipts by each council, expenditure records and funds received from donor agencies.

He maintained that every kobo of taxpayers’ money must be accounted for.

The PDP candidate further disclosed that a pre-action notice would be served on the Ebonyi State Government, giving the administration seven days to make the demanded disclosures, failing which, he said, the next legal step would be taken.

Odii accused the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of receiving substantial public resources without sufficient transparency over their utilisation.

He urged Ebonyians to remain calm, promising that if elected in 2027, his administration would pursue greater transparency and accountability in governance.

He also called on voters to protect their votes, saying “the choice of leadership ultimately rests with the people through the ballot.”

Ebonyi commissioner’s sack: Odii threatens lawsuit over alleged embezzlement