Panic and tension has gripped the Executive Chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area , Delta State, Jaro Egbo and the council staff as a combine team of the Nigeria anti-corruption agency, Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC, Wednesday, stormed the council area for fact findings.
The motive behind their visit was sketchy, but it was revealed that the EFCC officials visited offices of Heads of Departments HODs, while files, cheques booklets signed and other documents were reviewed.
While the operation was on, it was gathered that a staff of the council, name withheld narrowly escaped being whisked away by the anti-graft agency.
A council staff who confirmed the incident said, “Yes, officials of the EFCC came to our secretariat on Wednesday, they visited almost all HOD offices reviewing files and cheque booklets signed.”
However, another council staff disregard any criminal indictment and maintained that it was just a routine visit by the agency. “It’s a normal visit to councils. They were around and they also went to Burutu local government and other councils. So it was a usual routine visit to councils”.
Contacted, Chief Press Secretary to the Ughelli North Local Government Council Chairman, Mr Efe Ekete said, “I am aware they came to inspect our projects, and to confirm projects. When people said, the man is not doing anything and they wrote many petitions, they came to verify what is in ground.
“They came to confirm what is on ground and check our records and every other thing.”
Meanwhile, nothing incriminating or indicting has been found nor heard from the EFCC, but residents and political pundits are insinuating that the visit of the EFCC may not be unconnected with an alleged gross financial recklessness of the council chairman and his alleged abuse of power, office and negligence to dilapidating infrastructures including roads, schools and other social infrastructure since he assumed office. The findings of the EFCC, if made opened in the future, will tell whether or not some of the allegations leveled against the council boss are true or not as all roads and streets in Ughelli are currently death traps.