Ebonyi PDP Chieftain Raises Concern Over Arrest of Nwoba Chika Nwoba

The People’s Democratic Party, PDP Chieftain in Ebonyi State, Barrister Silas Onu has raised concern over the arrest and detention of Nwoba Chika Nwoba on the alleged diversion of N3 Billion Naria by Ebonyi Commissioner, Oguzor Offia-Nwali.

In a statement by Onu on Thursday, noted that the arrest of the whistleblower amounts to a threat to life.

The statement reads partly “It’s sad that in today’s Ebonyi State, exposing corruption comes with a threat to the life of the whistleblower. I thought that Nwoba Chika Nwoba had taking steps to verify and substantiate his allegations by writing a petition to the EFCC? Why will the Police be so willing to be used to silence Nwoba? Well, they have succeeded in keeping him in prison via a well-coordinated arraignment before a Court they knew had no jurisdiction and the magistrate delivered what they actually desired. This is why State Police will never work in Nigeria. Imagine how Federal Police are already being used by an ordinary Commissioner.’’

The PDP Chieftain noted that “Chika Nwoba won’t be in prison forever and the allegations he made will also not disappear as some of us are now willing to join in and ensure that the truth is not swept under the carpet via intimidation and harassment”

“His harassment is hereby condemned and I call on the Governor of Ebonyi State to rein in on his appointees by ensuring that no one is placed beneath the law.’’ The statement added.

He said he will formally write Transparency International to take steps towards unearthing the veracity of the allegations against the appointees of the State Governor.

“I do hope and pray that their books are transparent and that the beneficiaries of the said fund are traceable targets of the said fund.”

“We cannot be complacent because the Police will be used to harass us and then refuse to expose corruption – we will take up the fight from where they have distracted Chika. I know that he had some facts to back up his claims before going public as he never soeaks flippantly.”

BACKGROUND

Asiwaju Media had reported that Mr Nwoba, PDP Chieftain alleged that Mr Nwali diverted N3 billion meant to empower vulnerable Ebonyi citizens. 

He warned Mr Nwali to return the money stolen in a lengthy post on his Meta handle. 

However, Mr Nwali debunked the alleged misappropriation of funds via his Meta handle. 

He requested Mr Nwoba to retract his statement against his person with the intent to tarnish his image. 

But the Mr. Nwoba refused to adhere to the directive, which made Mr Nwali accuse him of defaming him, threatening his life, and falsely accusing him of fraud and diversion of state government funds meant for the empowerment of hawkers through a series of posts he made on social media. 

Mr Nwoba was on Tuesday arraigned on three-count charges including a threat to life, publication of false information, and false allegations. 

The charges read: “That you Nwoba Chika Nwoba ‘m’ and others now at large on the 6th day of February 2024 at Abakaliki within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Threat to Life, Publishing False Information and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap. 33 Vol. 1 Laws of the Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009. “That you Nwoba Chika Nwoba ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did threaten the life of Hon. Oguzorkanu Offia Nwali ‘m’ by the use of electronic gadgets and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 12(1) (b) of Ebonyi State Internal Security Enforcement and Related matters, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009. “That you Nwoba Chika Nwoba ‘m’ and others now at large on the same date, place and in the aforementioned Magisterial District did publish false information on your Facebook page accusing Hon. Oguzorkanu Offia Nwali ‘m’ a serving Commissioner in Ebonyi State Executive Council of Funds Diversion, a publication you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence under section 14 of Ebonyi State Internal Security Enforcement and Related matters, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.”