 |
| APC logo |
The Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged security agencies across the state to probe into the alleged assault on the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Permanent Secretary, Mr. Onaga Ogbodo, by the chairman of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Chief Ikeji Asogwa.
It was gathered that Ogbodo was beaten up by Asogwa, a Peoples Democratic Party stalwart in Enugu, on the premises of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB).
Eyewitnesses, who did not want to be named, said that Asogwa had, after ordering security personnel in the establishment to lock the gates, dragged Ogbodo out of his official vehicle and rained slaps on his face before proceeding to strip him with the aid of some youths, believed to be hired thugs, in the presence of workers of the agency.
It was learnt that the alleged assault stemmed from unresolved differences between the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), permanent secretary and the board chairman, over the management of the agency.
However, the Enugu State Government and security agencies in the state, have, so far, kept mum on the matter.
Asogwa had also denied assaulting the permanent secretary, when questioned by journalists.
But the chairman of the APC in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, on Wednesday insisted that the incident ‘must not be swept under the carpet.’
Addressing journalists in Enugu, Nwoye, who is also a human rights lawyer, said the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the relevant security agencies, must take necessary action against the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) chairman, in order to protect the integrity of the state civil service.
“Sweeping the heinous and barbaric act under the carpet portends serious danger to the growth of democracy in Enugu State because it shocks the conscience that a permanent secretary could be brutalised, humiliated and stripped on the premises of ENSUBEB with pictures of his nakedness shown all over by hired thugs led by the chairman of the board, Asogwa, without a pronouncement from the government,” Nwoye said.
Noting that the government’s silence could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state, the Enugu APC chairman added, “Sweeping such a sensitive matter under the carpet would do the state more harm than good – a thorough investigation must be carried out and the perpetrators brought to book.”
Nwoye added that the treatment meted to the permanent secretary by the board chairman was an ‘insult’ to the entire civil service in Enugu State.
He said, “Onaga Ogbodo rose through the ranks to become a permanent secretary – he has been in the service for 34 years and will retire next year.”
It was gathered that Ogbodo was beaten up by Asogwa, a Peoples Democratic Party stalwart in Enugu, on the premises of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB).
Eyewitnesses, who did not want to be named, said that Asogwa had, after ordering security personnel in the establishment to lock the gates, dragged Ogbodo out of his official vehicle and rained slaps on his face before proceeding to strip him with the aid of some youths, believed to be hired thugs, in the presence of workers of the agency.
It was learnt that the alleged assault stemmed from unresolved differences between the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), permanent secretary and the board chairman, over the management of the agency.
However, the Enugu State Government and security agencies in the state, have, so far, kept mum on the matter.
Asogwa had also denied assaulting the permanent secretary, when questioned by journalists.
But the chairman of the APC in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, on Wednesday insisted that the incident ‘must not be swept under the carpet.’
Addressing journalists in Enugu, Nwoye, who is also a human rights lawyer, said the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and the relevant security agencies, must take necessary action against the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) chairman, in order to protect the integrity of the state civil service.
“Sweeping the heinous and barbaric act under the carpet portends serious danger to the growth of democracy in Enugu State because it shocks the conscience that a permanent secretary could be brutalised, humiliated and stripped on the premises of ENSUBEB with pictures of his nakedness shown all over by hired thugs led by the chairman of the board, Asogwa, without a pronouncement from the government,” Nwoye said.
Noting that the government’s silence could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state, the Enugu APC chairman added, “Sweeping such a sensitive matter under the carpet would do the state more harm than good – a thorough investigation must be carried out and the perpetrators brought to book.”
Nwoye added that the treatment meted to the permanent secretary by the board chairman was an ‘insult’ to the entire civil service in Enugu State.
He said, “Onaga Ogbodo rose through the ranks to become a permanent secretary – he has been in the service for 34 years and will retire next year.”
In this article: