FactCheck: Is it True that Ebonyi Governor’s Aide Arrested, Detained Over Alleged ₦200m Contract Scam?

Claim : Ebonyi Governor’s Aide Arrested Over Alleged ₦200m Contract Scam

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Abuja Post reported that a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Francis Nwifuru on Project Monitoring, Chukwuma Nwiboko has been reportedly arrested and detained by the state Police command over an alleged 200 million contract scams.

Also, A Facebook user, Itumo Palm-Tree Ndubuisi posted

that Nwiboko and other suspects were said to have been detained by the Crack Squad Unit of the command on the directives of the Governor.

Ndubuisi revealed that a source disclosed that the embattled aides have spent over three days in police detention before they were granted bails. The source noted that Nwiboko may have diverted the funds which amounted to over ₦200 million to enable him complete his gigantic private residence in Abakaliki capital city.

The source reads: “this is not the first time Mr. Nwiboko is being detained over the contract scam. Governor Nwifuru was referring to Nwiboko in his Ojiji 2024 address when he stated that his kinsmen in his government were those creating problems for his administration”.

“It is obvious that Nwiboko used the project fund to complete his gigantic private residence in Abakaliki capital city”.

“Ebonyi people who were worried about the attempts of close aides of the governor to frustrate most of the signature projects of the Ebonyi People’s Charter of Needs administration said that they were looking forward to seeing Governor Nwifuru’s decisive actions to stop his friends, associates and aides from their negative attitudes and thereby protect the interests of Ebonyi people whose collective mandate brought Nwifuru to power”.

Verification

Leo Ekene Oketa The Special Assistant to Ebonyi state governor (New Media) debunked the circulating rumour revealed that Chukwuma Nwiboko was not arrested and he is not under investigation as alleged. He added that Chukwuma is going about his normal duties as directed. His Excellency on his path, is consistently focused on delivering on the NEEDS of Ebonyi people without margin(s) for error.

The Special Assistant On New Media further clarifeed that Chukwuma was not under investigation rather, the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is currently investigating the ongoing contract execution of the duplexes of traditional rulers in the State. The Governor is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring, that all contractors who are found wanting in the execution of the projects are made to face the Law.

The SSA to the Governor on project monitoring, Chukwuma Nwiboko is one of those saddled with the responsibility of fishing out the derailing contractors, as it is part of his job to monitor ongoing projects and report progress to the Governor. He was not awarded any contract, not to imagine one of such magnitude being alleged. He was only at the police station for some moments, as witness for the police who are investigating some of the arrested contractors.

Also, A Facebook user and resident of the state, Samuel Don Terry Nkwuda made a rebuttal on the alleged arrest and detention of Chukwuma Nwiboko clarified that there is no evidence anywhere to support the claim of a 200 million naira contract.

“Firstly, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Francis Nwifuru on Project Monitoring, Hon Chukwuma Nwiboko was not arrested or detained by the state police command as claimed. The recent accusations leveled against Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Project Monitoring and Evaluation, Hon. Chukwuma Nwiboko are completely unfounded and misleading. The claim that the SSA was arrested and detained over an alleged 200 million naira contract is a gross misrepresentation of the facts. These claims are entirely false” he stated.

Polycarp Obinna Alegu, on his Facebook post disclaimed the alleged false accusation on the senior special assistant.

“Hon Bldr Nwiboko Christopher has been a man of integrity without questionable character. He’s a construction god whose wealth of knowledge in construction world remains inimitable. He was never involved in the alleged scam. Nobody arrested him any day. He has been moving about discharging his official duties. I even spoke with Nwiboko on phone to confirm the news and he exonerated himself.” he clarified.

Conclusion:

Hon Builder Chukwuma Nwiboko Christopher, A senior special assistant on project monitoring was neither arrested nor detained over 200million contract scam as alleged. He was not awarded any contract, and was only at the police station for some moments, as witness for the police who are investigating some of the arrested contractors.

Verdict: False