Alleged Misuse Of Funds: AEISCID Asks Ebonyi Governor To Sack SSG Without Delay

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has been urged to immediately remove Professor Grace Umezuruike from her position as Secretary to the State Government sequel to the court order that granted interim forfeiture of N1 billion belonging to the state government which she allegedly misused.

President of the Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora, Pascal Oluchukwu has emphasized the need for the governor to sack the SSG without delay.

Recall that Justice Maurine Onyetenu of the Federal High Court, Uyo  had on July 8, 2025, granted the interim forfeiture order, following an ex parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Professor Grace Umezuruike and her aide, Ngene Onyeabor are the first and second respondents in the case in question.

The EFCC alleged that the two of them diverted state funds to six different bank accounts in United Bank for Africa.

Four of the bank accounts are reportedly owned by the SSG, while the one that was registered in her aide’s name has the sum of N1.014 billion paid into it.

The sixth bank account was opened in the name of Affordable Multi Services Nigeria Limited.

The anti-graft agency noted that the diverted funds were originally earmarked for the purchase of bags of rice for residents of Ebonyi State during the 2024 Christmas celebrations.

Governor Nwifuru had however during the church service held at the Government House Chapel , Abakaliki on Sunday reacted to the development noting that his administration would not rush to conclusions based on the court ruling.

 Oluchukwu has condemned the stance of the state government while noting that there is a need for ‘opinion shift’.

   ‘We are thoroughly ashamed of the disposition of the state government towards this grave allegation that has very severe and negative consequences for the State and Ebonyi State people at home and in the diaspora’ he said.

He also commended Nwoba Chika, a social critic, whose petition to the EFCC had triggered the investigation while urging the governor to act decisively by removing the SSG within 48 hours to allow ‘a thorough, discreet and unhindered probe’ by the EFCC.

‘What else does the governor, who claims to be a lawyer, need to understand that once a prima facie case has been established, leading to the freezing of the said bank accounts for a forfeiture of the diverted funds, the SSG should have been asked to step aside immediately?

This is a common ethical and standard practice that is well in accordance with the principles of transparency, accountability and probity in governance, which would ensure that all allegations are substantiated without hindrance’ he said.

The AEISCID president also noted that it is important that Ebonyi State government seeks legal standing in the forfeiture suit in order to reclaim the money in the event that  it is eventually established that it belongs to the state government-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you