EFCC invites 13 Ebonyi LG chairmen to discuss an alleged N2 billion road contract

By Adeleye Kunle

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is investigating the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State over an alleged N2 billion road contract.

According to documents obtained by Track News, the anti-graft agency invited the chairmen in response to a petition alleging that funds intended for road projects were mismanaged by the chairmen and some key aides to the state Governor, David Umahi.

A letter of invitation, dated July 6, 2022, and signed by the commission’s Director of Operations, Abdulkarim Chukkol, was sent to all chairmen via the state’s Local Government Service Commission, inviting them to appear at the anti-graft national headquarters in Abuja on separate dates ranging from July 15, 2022, to August 11, 2022.

“This commission is investigating a complaint in which they need to seek certain clarification from your local government chairmen,” read the anti-graft body’s letter of invitation, addressed to the Chairman, Ebonyi State Local Government Service Commission, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent.

In response to the EFCC letter, the Local Government Service Commission urged Council Chairmen to strictly enforce the directive.

“I am directed to refer to the letter with ref. No. Cr: 3000/abj/hq/cmu 1/st/du/vol.4/343 of 6th July, 2022 by EFCC on the above subject as attached and to respectfully inform you that your presence is required at the EFCC Headquarters, 5th Floor, Plot 301/302 Institution and Research District, Jabi, Abuja at 1000 hours,” read the forwarding letter, dated 22 July, 2022 (See schedule attached.)

“Please take note of the invitation letter’s urgency and act accordingly, as the invitation arrived with us today, July 22nd, 2022, and was received by the Local Government Service Commission.” Suffice it to say that you are making frantic efforts to honor the invitation and have attached for your guidance while emphasizing paragraph three.”

The letter specified the dates on which each of the Council Chairmen will be questioned, and they are said to have traveled to Abuja to explain what they know about the issues at hand.

According to the invitation, the concerned chairmen “are to bring Certified True Copies of all documents, approvals, and payments made for One Kilometer Road Construction in their Local Government Areas in 2019.” This request is made in accordance with Sections 38(1) and (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act of 2004.”

The post EFCC invites 13 Ebonyi LG chairmen to alleged N2 billion road contract appeared first on Track News.