Ebonyi state governor David Umahi has slammed suspension on his Special Assistant on Transport, Mr. Oba Peter for allegedly extorting clergymen in the state.
Oba, was said to have constituted an illegal task force that moves around the state extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public, was directed by the governor to refund all monies collected from his victims.
He was also ordered to return all vehicle number plates confiscated by his illegal task force.
Umahi made this known through the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General Barr. Ofoke Keletus together with SSA on internal security Dr Ugbala Kenneth while addressing journalists in Abakaliki shortly after the state Executive Council meeting, said the suspension followed public outcry.
“The Council is also notified about the indefinite suspension of the special assistant to the governor on transport, Mr. Peter Oba for constituting illegal task force and using the same task force to be causing problem for the state.
“There is a public outcry concerning this, because members of the public are complaining that many times, they will park their vehicles just to go in to buy something and before they know, the vehicles number plates are being taken away and they will be demanded to pay money.
“This money in question does not go into government coffers. So, the persons collecting the money are not accountable to government.
“The Council directed that the suspended SA to the governor Chief Peter Oba should refund to all those he has collected their money the money and equally return all the vehicle number plates he has collected from members of the public including that of the Rev. Fathers and Sisters.
“The Council directed further that henceforth such task force should not be in existence in the state, and encouraged the members of the public to defend themselves before inviting police whenever such people are being cited because they are not working for government”, he stated.
