I have not stolen government’s fund – Elechi

                    Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to examine the state’s financial expenditure closely and tell him if he has stolen government fund.
Elechi made the call on Wednesday while inaugurating the Oferekpe mega water scheme which became operational following the completion of the project.
                        He said, ‘’ I am calling on Ebonyi people to put pressure on the House of Assembly members who have vowed not to allow us get necessary funding to do the projects we need to do for our people. Our expenditure profile is under scrutiny and we invite all anti-graft agencies wherever they may be to examine our books closely and tell us where we have stolen government funds.
                  
‘’ I believe we have discharged our responsibility creditably, we have acquitted ourselves creditably as well, the rest is left to God to decide. But we believe we have the capacity, the zeal and the vision to transmit water to every community in Ebonyi State.”
The EFCC and ICPC have quizzed some of the state government officials including the governor’s son, Prince Nnanna Elechi, over alleged financial fraud.
The anti-graft agencies are also investigating local government accounts and Sure-P funds.
But the state government has described the arrests as politically motivated.
Meanwhile, the state House of Assembly has declared the seats of four of its members vacant for defecting to another political party.
The Speaker of the House, Chukwuma Nwazunku, while reading the resolutions, said the affected members violated section 109; sub section 1G of the 1999 Constitution as amended by defecting to another political party without stipulated party guidelines.
The affected members are – Chief Eni Uduma-Chima (PDP-Afikpo South West), Mr. Sam Nwali (PDP-Ikwo North) Mrs. Helen-Nwaobashi (PDP—Abakaliki South) and Mrs. Mabel Aleke (PDP—Ohaukwu South).
“They defected to another party without adhering to the laid down rules stipulated by the Peoples Democratic Party under which platform they were elected as members of the House.
“Their action brings the integrity of the House into disrepute, as the declaration of vacancy to their seats takes effect from February 11.
“We therefore inform the state’s Commissioner of Police, State Security Service, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies, on the matter for appropriate actions to be taken.