Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution in Ebonyi State has denied the allegation that the Ebubeagu security outfit was responsible for the destruction of property of residents of the state.
Okoro-Emegha spoke in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria while reacting to questions on the alleged involvement of demolition of residents’ properties in the state.
Okoro-Emegha said that the security outfit was solely committed to protection of lives and properties of citizens and not demolition.
“The Ministry of Capital City Development has its own task force. Ebubeagu can never be associated with such,” he said.
NAN reports that several petitioners testified against the state Commissioner for Capital City Development, Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, during a public hearing organised by the state House of Assembly on the reported destruction of property.
Some residents had alleged that the local security outfit was involved in the demolition exercise.
NAN reports that Nwebonyi had shunned the House summons to explain his alleged role in the reported demolition of property belonging to citizens of the state.
Mrs Lilian Nwachukwu, Chairman of the House Committee that is investigating reports of the demolitions confirmed that “Nwebonyi had shunned the committee’s summon. You can see that we have concluded the session and Nwebonyi was absent.
“We, however, listened to all the petitioners and assured them that all claims would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate recommendations made. We also urged them to submit relevant documents to substantiate their claims,” she said.
Mr Chris Elom, a house owner in Abakaliki, claimed that Nwebonyi had led thugs to demolish his house in spite of obtaining relevant documents from the Abakaliki Capital Development Board.
Another resident named Mrs Chimma Chika also claimed that Nwebonyi personally supervised the destruction of her stall.
Efforts made by NAN to get Nwebonyi’s reaction proved abortive as he failed to respond to calls and text messages sent to him.
