The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) has dismissed recent online reports alleging that its Chairman was interrogated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over fraud allegations.
In a statement issued in Enugu on Saturday, Chief Gideon Onyia, the agency’s Director and Head of Administration, described the circulating claims as false and a calculated attempt to damage the reputation of the ECTDA.
Onyia expressed the agency’s surprise at the reports, stating that no official communication has been received from the ICPC suggesting any such development.
He clarified that while the ICPC had indeed contacted the agency, it was only to request specific documents and the presence of an official for an ongoing investigation.
Quoting a letter from the ICPC dated March 13, 2025, with reference number ICPC/ENU/INV/038/Vol.1/2025, Onyia noted: “The letter states: ‘The Commission wishes to inform you that the above referenced letters are yet to be complied with by your Authority and the Officer invited to come along with documents relevant to our investigation also refused to attend to our legitimate invitation.'”
According to him, the agency responded by advising the commission to follow due process by channeling its request through the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
“Rather than doing that,” Onyia continued, “the ICPC sent another letter on April 7, 2025, with reference number ICPC/ENU/INV/001/Vol2/2025, inviting our Chairman over complaints related to alleged violations of ICPC Act, which is not what has been reported by those spreading false information.”
He added that the agency formally responded on April 9, 2025, stating “the letter, which was received after the close of official working hours on April 8, 2025, is by implication received officially on April 9, 2025, the same date for appearing before your Commission for interview alongside other specified personnel outside our office. Obviously, it is very difficult to meet your invitation, considering your timeline.”
Onyia reiterated that correspondence involving government officials must go through the SSG.
“The SSG will in turn initiate the appropriate processes that will lead to the release of the concerned government official(s) along with relevant official documents as may be required by your Commission,” he added.
When approached for comment, the Chairman of ECTDA, Chief Uche Anya, refuted the grilling claims outright.
“How could I have been grilled for almost 24 hours when I am not under any form of investigation?” he asked.
Anya explained that the ICPC had notified the agency that their investigation covers activities between 2019 and 2023 — a period preceding his tenure — and had requested documents to aid the probe.
“I wrote back, indicating that they should direct the letter through the appropriate authority (the SSG), as we cannot release government documents just like that,” he said.
He further noted, “They responded, asserting their entitlement to collect any document or take action against anyone obstructing their investigation, claiming my failure to provide the documents amounted to obstruction.”
“Following this, they sent another letter expressing their displeasure which amounts to obstructing their investigation, and this led to their invitation letter on April 7, 2025 to which my office responded accordingly.”
In a move aimed at defusing any rising tension, Anya said he personally visited the ICPC headquarters to express willingness to cooperate, provided the process follows official protocol.
“The notion of being ‘grilled’ is unfounded and a total falsehood,” he concluded.
