BREAKING: ₦1.5 Billion Fraud Scandal Rocks Ebonyi SSG’s Office, EFCC Moves to Recover Alleged Loot

BREAKING: ₦1.5 Billion Fraud Scandal Rocks Ebonyi SSG’s Office, EFCC Moves to Recover Alleged Loot

A massive corruption scandal has erupted in Ebonyi State, with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Grace Umezurike, accused of diverting ₦1.5 billion from a ₦4 billion fund meant for the procurement of Christmas rice in 2023. The explosive allegations, made public on Sunday by activist and political commentator, Sir Chika Nwoba, have sent shockwaves through the state’s political establishment, raising serious questions about transparency, governance, and official complicity.

According to a detailed statement released by Nwoba, the SSG was entrusted with ₦4 billion by the Ebonyi State Government to purchase and distribute rice to residents as part of a statewide Christmas welfare initiative. However, the actual quantity of rice delivered was reportedly far below expectations and the value of the funds disbursed, prompting suspicions and subsequent investigation.

“It was discovered that the SSG pocketed ₦1.5 billion for herself, lodging it in different UBA bank accounts bearing her name and that of one Onyeabo Ngene, an aide to Senator David Umahi,” Nwoba alleged.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), according to the statement, began probing the matter but initially faced political resistance allegedly orchestrated by Governor Francis Nwifuru. Nwoba claims the governor tried to shield the SSG from investigation to prevent exposure of the broader corruption allegedly plaguing his administration.

However, the EFCC reportedly escalated its actions, obtaining a court order from a Federal High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to secure the forfeiture of the ₦1.5 billion traced to accounts linked to Professor Umezurike.

Attached to the whistleblower’s statement were what appear to be court documents authorizing the EFCC to seize the funds — documents that Nwoba says were meant to be kept secret by state officials.

YOU MAY READ

Court Grants Emefiele N2bn Bail in Multibillion Naira Fraud Trial Over Alleged Illegal Acquisition of Abuja Estate

Describing the scandal as “just the tip of the iceberg,” Nwoba stated that the SSG’s conduct reflects the deep-rooted rot within the current administration. He further criticized the governor for awarding a direct procurement contract of such magnitude — ₦4 billion — to a political appointee, an act he described as “reckless” and “inappropriate.”

“Was it even right to give an appointee of the government a contract, let alone to the tune of ₦4 billion?” he asked rhetorically.

Nwoba, who has long positioned himself as a vocal advocate for good governance in Ebonyi State, demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of Professor Umezurike. He also called for a wider probe into her allies and business associates, noting that her alleged newfound wealth — including the construction of three multi-storey buildings in Abakaliki’s Ugwuachara axis — points to a lifestyle inconsistent with her official earnings.

He added:

“This same SSG recently built three-storey buildings in three different locations in Ugwuachara. She got her PhD in 2017, became a professor by 2023, and suddenly rose to political prominence — but her name is now a byword for public corruption.”

The revelations have sparked outrage on social media and within civil society, with many calling for the EFCC to go beyond asset recovery and ensure full criminal prosecution. Activists argue that failing to hold high-ranking officials accountable would send the wrong signal and embolden others to loot public funds with impunity.

An Ebonyi-based civic group, the Coalition for Transparency and Justice, in a statement to the press on Monday morning, urged the anti-graft agency to “act swiftly and decisively to restore public trust.”

“We demand a transparent, televised trial if need be. This case is not just about rice or Christmas—it’s about the soul of Ebonyi’s democracy,” the statement read.

There are also growing calls for the Ebonyi State House of Assembly to initiate an independent inquiry and possibly recommend the suspension or removal of the embattled SSG, pending the outcome of investigations.

As at press time, Professor Grace Umezurike had not issued any public statement regarding the allegations. Multiple attempts to reach her for comment proved unsuccessful.

Governor Francis Nwifuru has also remained silent, despite mounting pressure from stakeholders and concerned citizens to break his silence and clarify his administration’s position.

Meanwhile, UBA officials have yet to respond to inquiries on whether accounts bearing the SSG’s name and that of Onyeabo Ngene indeed held the disputed funds.

Although Nwoba cited an EFCC court order and attached photographs purportedly showing court documents, the anti-graft commission has yet to officially confirm or deny the details of its investigation into Professor Umezurike.

However, sources within the agency hinted that the matter is under active review and may be escalated if political interference persists.

Legal analysts say the case presents a major test for Nigeria’s anti-corruption machinery and political will in the fight against elite impunity. If prosecuted successfully, it could mark a turning point for governance reform in the Southeast state.

“If this ₦1.5 billion fraud case collapses under political pressure, it will be a sad chapter in the war against corruption,” said Barrister Ndubuisi Aniekwe, a public interest lawyer in Enugu.

“But if EFCC follows through, Ebonyi State might just begin a process of reckoning that is long overdue.”

As Ebonyi residents watch with bated breath, the scandal is quickly shaping up to be one of the biggest political controversies of the year. Analysts warn that unless transparent action is taken swiftly, the fallout may spill over into civil unrest and further disillusionment with state institutions.

The Secretary to Ebonyi State Government, Professor Grace Umezurike has been accused by Concerned Ebonyi Good Governance Advocate, Sir Nwoba Chika Nwoba for alleged diversion of the sum of N1.5 billion.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr Nwoba alleged that Professor Umezurike was given N4 billion by the Ebonyi State Government to procure bags of rice in 2023 for Christmas celebration across the state in 2023.

Nwoba said unfortunately, the rice presented by the SSG fell short of what N4 billion could buy.

According to him, “subsequent investigation was launched to unravel the game played by the SSG. It was discovered that the SSG pocketed N1.5 billion for herself, lodging it in different UBA bank accounts bearing her name and an aide of Sen. David Umahi, Onyeabo Ngene.”

The statement reads in full,

” This is to bring to the notice of the Ebonyi people and the general public the financial malfeasance going on in the current Government of Ebonyi State, the immediate one being the case of diversion of the sum of N1.5 billion by the secretary to the government of Ebonyi State, Professor Grace Umezurike. Professor Umezurike was given N4 billion by the Ebonyi State Government to procure bags of rice in 2023 for Christmas celebration across the state in 2023. Unfortunately, the rice presented by the SSG fell short of what N4 billion could buy.”

“Subsequent investigation was launched to unravel the game played by the SSG. It was discovered that the SSG pocketed N1.5 billion for herself, lodging it in different UBA bank accounts bearing her name and an aide of Sen. David Umahi, Onyeabo Ngene. The Economic & Financial Crimes Commission invited her for questioning, but was soon blocked by Gov. Nwifuru for reasons not far from not exposing the disturbing quantity of corruption going on in his government. But soon, the EFCC on its own went and obtained a court order from an Uyo, Akwaibom State- based Federal High Court to gain forfeiture of the said amount of money lying dormant in the SSG’s bank accounts clearly traced to the botched Christmas rice procurement exercise. See the attached pictures of the order of the court granting the request of the EFCC to recover the loot.”

“This whole heartbreaking episode was meant to be kept discreet to further give inspiration to the SSG and her acolytes in the looting spree going on in the current Ebonyi State Government. So, I extracted it and decided to bring notice of members of the public to it. This is almost the smallest of such heists going on in the government which the governor, Francis Nwifuru is chiefly complicit in by always shielding the looters anytime they’re caught in the act. Was it even the right thing to do giving an appointee of the government a contract, let alone to the tune of N4 billion? .”

“As a concerned Ebonyi child and a stakeholder in the contemporary Ebonyi project in my own right, I’m lending my voice to the call that the EFCC should arrest, arraign and secure a judgment against this depraved public office holder-SSG. It’s noteworthy that this same SSG recently built three storey buildings in three places at the Ugwuachara axis of Abakaliki. This was the same woman who got her PhD around 2017 and by 2023 she became a Professor of Philosophy at the Ebonyi State University. Everything about her seems to be shrouded in corruption and this goes a long mile to mean that Gov. Nwifuru assembled the worst team to help him wreck the ship of Ebonyi State. Concluding, I am urging the EFCC to expedite action in arraigning this SSG and use her to set deterrence for accountability in Ebonyi State. At the same vein, her accomplices should be brought to reprimand as she may not have carried out the heist alone. This is important moreover as the document indicting her undisputably is in the public background already. “

Signed: