N3 Billion Scandal: Group Petitions IGP, EFCC Over Ebonyi Whistleblower’s Arrest

The Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the apex socio-political youth group in the region, has raised a red flag over the alleged diversion of a staggering N3 billion empowerment fund on Tuesday. 

The youth group condemned the recent arrest of Comrade Nwoba Chika Nwoba, a prominent social media influencer and rights activist, who had earlier blown the whistle on the alleged financial mismanagement.

Mr Nwoba was apprehended by the men of a Crack Team from the Ebonyi State Police Command on Sunday, 10th February. 

The arrest unfolded through the detention of his youngest sister, Miss Cynthia Nwoba, who was reportedly treated like a common criminal and forced to call her elder brother for rescue.

“At first, feelers said the Ebonyi-born Rights Activist and social critic was kidnapped and was taken to an unknown location, until reliable pieces of information came to us that he was being held by the Police Operatives from the Ebonyi state Command,” COSEYL stated. 

At the heart of the matter is the alleged embezzlement of Three Billion Naira (N3,000,000,000), earmarked for the empowerment of Ebonyi boys and girls engaged in hawking and house-help services across the nation.

“What is Nwoba offence? He had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chief Oguzor Offia Nwali alongside three others diverted the sum of Three Billion Naira (N3,000,000,000) only, meant for the Empowerment of Ebonyi boys and girls who are hawking and serving as house helps in the various states of the Federation, whose condition Governor Francis Nwifuru, had repeatedly said caused him sleepless nights.”

“This money was meant to erase the shame and humiliation Ebonyi indigenes go through while serving as house-helps in people’s homes across the federation.” It added.

COSEYL emphasizes that the focus should not be on why the state government left the process unmonitored but rather on why a whistleblower like Comrade Nwoba is facing persecution for exposing corruption.

“Our concern here is not to inquire why the Government of the day albeit allegedly left the process unmonitored, but why a whistleblower , who sought an inquiry into how the N3Billion Empowerment Fund was either judiciously disbursed or corruptly diverted by supposed functionaries of the State Government,” 

 COSEYL urged. 

 
The coalition is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, EFCC leadership, Amnesty International, and others to compel Governor Francis Nwifuru to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged embezzlement.

“we write to draw the attention of the President and Commander-in-Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun; the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC); the Amnesty International; among others, to intervene in this matter,” it narrated. 

“We therefore call on President Tinubu, The IG, the EFCC and others to compel the Executive Governor of the State, Chief Francis Nwifuru to launch a serious probe on the matter and possibly save his government from negative speculations by Ebonyians on the matter.”

Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders expresses concern over Comrade Nwoba’s three-day detention for bringing the supposed corruption to light and demands that his fundamental rights be respected.

“The whistleblower, Comrade Nwoba, has been in the Police custody for three days now for simply bringing a supposed rot in the corridors of government to public knowledge,” it explained. 

COSEYL emphasizes that individuals implicated in the allegation should approach the anti-graft agency to prove their innocence.

“Those mentioned in the allegation should rather and freely approach the anti-graft agency to prove their innocence than restoring to police brigandage and unnecessary witch-hunt. They should be conscious of the fact that the matter is already before a law enforcement agency and should thread with caution,” it noted. 

The coalition is calling for a fair and unbiased investigation into the matter, urging Governor Nwifuru to discard any form of sentiment and ensure justice prevails.

“The allegation revolves around embezzlement of funds meant for suffering Ebonyi indigenes across the country. Consequently, the Governor should deploy his administrative powers and ensure that those indicated should be brought to book.”

“Governor Nwifuru should also ensure that any form of iota of sentiment is discarded at making sure justice reigns in the matter. We seek for justice, justice and nothing, but justice,” it stated.