A whirlwind that blows no one any good is fast sweeping across Imo State as top Ministry officials are now guests of some anti-graft bodies who have made the state a hunting ground for the fight against suspected corrupt persons.
In view of the alleged monumental contract scam rocking the state, especially the recent controversial N458m bribe alleged to have been paid to the sacked Deputy Governor of Imo State, Jude Agbaso, and the reported over payment of contract sum extended to some contractors handling projects in Imo State including JPross International Ltd, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC, have arrested some ministry officials in the state.
The arrested ministry officials including a commissioner are drawn from the Ministry of Works. The officials, who reported at the ICPC Owerri office at Works Layout, were interrogated for hours and requested to make certain clarification before they were allowed to go and report back again. Those said to have reported to ICPC office include Commissioner for Works, Nick OparaNdudi, the Director of Accounts, Mr Johnbosco, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, I. Ibe and his Civil Engendering counterpart, Felix Egbuka as well as a Permanent Secretary, Alex Nlembedim who previously worked at the Ministry.
The officials moved to the ICPC office, with files and records which are reported to be part of the Ministry’s activities since the present government came into power two years ago.
Our correspondent gathered that the fresh investigation may not be unconnected with plethora of petitions to the anti-fraud bodies from groups and individuals especially the Agbasos alleging shoddy deals and monumental fraud that characterized award of contracts and execution of various projects in the state. Works Ministry Workers were startled on Tuesday and yesterday as their management staffers scrambled for available files and documents for onward presentation to ICPC officials for the said investigation.
Trumpeta further learnt that apart from Works Ministries, other key figures in related government establishments like that of the Local Government and Public Utilities will also face similar interrogation as ICPC intensifies their investigation in Imo State.
Meanwhile, fear has gripped some political appointees in Okorocha’s cabinet over the visit of ICPC to Owerri as they are scared of the continuous presence of the anti-graft bodies in the state.
When contacted, the Works Commissioner, OparaNdudi who confirmed the development said that they were not arrested by ICPC as alleged adding that it is normal exercise for the anti-graft agencies to investigate affairs of any ministry as officials are expected to comply. OparaNdudi who recently took over the ministry from the impeached Deputy Governor who may not be in the know of past dealings in Works Ministry said that ICPC requested for certain clarifications expected of the ministry in its investigations.
