Nwifuru, Others Accused of Harassing Critic’s Associate

A critic of the Ebonyi State Government, Nwoba Chika Nwoba had on Tuesday alleged that the Governor, Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru is behind the harassment and intimidation of a young woman working with him. 

He claims that men posing as police officers forced the woman to take them to his office, where they took photographs of the front door and accused him of scamming people out of millions of naira.

“They told her to enter their vehicle. They told her plainly that they needed her for a soft target deal, as such, should not be afraid. One showed her his ID card and truly he’s a police officer,” Chika Nwoba alleged.

The men reportedly drove the young woman to the CPS, Awka, where they forced her to take them to Sir Chika Nwoba’s office. They snapped photographs of the front door and then drove her back to the CPS.

“They told her that her boss (referring to me) scammed people of millions of naira. That it was a case of OBT. That she should take them to where she thought I was,” Chika Nwoba stated.

However, the young woman was aware of Nwoba’s circumstances and did not provide the men with any information. After failing to use her to gain access to Mr. Nwoba, the men released her.

Nwoba believes that this incident is connected to a larger conspiracy involving the Ebonyi State Government and a senior police officer from Ezza, Ebonyi State.

“I know the officer to be Ezza, but working in Onitsha, and another in Awka. Both of them are Ezza. I worked with the senior police officer that sent them. I know her modus operandi,” Sir Chika Nwoba alleged.

He further stated that the Ebonyi State Government has been making efforts to silence him and has filed 14 counts against him.

“He accused me of announcing that he died during the 2022 election campaign season. He said I must explain how he died. I never said that he died. I only called him out to come public and denounce the rumour of lethal complications he sustained in an accident on his way from a campaign rally,” Nwoba clarified.

The Ebonyi State Government has been accused of insensitivity and prioritizing the harassment of critics over addressing the killings in Akaeze and Ishiagu, which have been ongoing for eight months.

“Nigerians should come to my rescue from Gov. Nwifuru. Killings are going on in Akaeze and Ishiagu for eight months now, but the governor is reticent about it. Lives are wasted every day including yesterday in that side, but what’s paramount to the governor is me going back to prison,” Chika Nwoba stated.

He reiterated that he is not against the Government of Ebonyi State and wants the current administration to succeed.

“I make bold to say that the infinitesimal success the current government has made partly came from me. I want Nwifuru administration to succeed. I’m not interested in being in government for now. I want to establish myself well before joining government,” Sir Chika Nwoba said.

The incident has raised concerns about the harassment and intimidation of critics by the Ebonyi State Government and the need for the government to prioritize addressing the killings and insecurity in the state.

“I’m too busy for that. Let me reiterate that I’m not against the Government of Ebonyi State. I’m not interested in being in government for now. I want to establish myself well before joining government.”

“I don’t need any appointment, not even commissioner appointment. I don’t need anything from the government as a person, not even any empowerment sum from the government. Give them all to the many underprivileged people of Ebonyi roaming the streets stranded,” Chika Nwoba concluded.