Ebonyi Speaker Denies Alleged Extortion From Commissioner Nominees

The Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa, has described as false and mischievous, the alleged extortion of N17.5million from the commissioner nominees sent by Governor Francis Nwifuru who appeared before the House for screening and confirmation by the Assembly members.

The speaker in an interaction with journalists in Abakaliki maintained that the allegation was misleading as the House of Assembly cannot be associated with such act.

He described the allegation as the handiwork of detractors of the state government and members of the opposition party and  warned those spreading it to desist or face the full wrath of the law.

“Ebonyi State House of Assembly works by the rule of law and therefore, such practice cannot revolve around lawmakers like us.

“The 7th State House of Assembly under my watch has never asked any of the 35 commissioner nominees from the governor to give us any kobo, either by transfer or by cash, and I can authoritatively defend it any where,” he said.

LEADERSHIP Weekend gathered that the newly inaugurated House of Assembly came under heavy verbal attacks by the opposition parties following the allegation that the lawmakers demanded N500,000 each from the 35 commissioner nominees whose names were  forwarded to the House by the governor for screening and possible confirmation.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party was said to have taken to his Facebook page to accuse the speaker, Rt. Hon Odunwa and other members of the House of refusing to screen the nominees pending when the money was paid.

He alleged that the House also threatened to ensure that any nominee who fails to pay the sum would not be screened or confirmed by the House.