Ebonyi denies financial impropriety claim against Umahi

The Ebonyi State government Wednesday denied allegations of financial impropriety against the governor, Dave Umahi, saying those behind it are only out to tarnish his image. The state said the allegations in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was unfounded, malicious and aimed at distracting the governor from his presidential ambition […]

The Ebonyi State government Wednesday denied allegations of financial impropriety against the governor, Dave Umahi, saying those behind it are only out to tarnish his image.

The state said the allegations in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was unfounded, malicious and aimed at distracting the governor from his presidential ambition for the 2023 presidential election.

• EFCC frees Obiano, seizes passport
• Electoral Act: N/Assembly to appeal judgement on contentious section

The state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Orji Uchenna Orji, stated this in a statement made available to Daily Trust yesterday in Abuja in reaction to a petition trending in the social media accusing the governor of looting the state treasury.

He described the content of the petition as malicious and an attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to damage the hard-earned reputation of the governor.

“We shall not hesitate in invoking legal actions to bring the petitioners to justice,” he said.

Orji said the expenditure of the Ebonyi State Government was in the public domain, and “there is no doubt that Governor Umahi’s administration has been adjudged to be one of the most transparent, judicious, prudent and corruption-free administrations in Nigeria.”

The commissioner requested the state house of assembly to waive its constitutional immunity and request the EFCC to within 30 days investigate all the allegations in the petition by the PDP and any other allegation of financial impropriety raised.

He also urged the commission to take necessary sanctions “against the petitioners for false and fake information if their allegations are not established.”