The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, and Business Development, Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali, has been accused of ordering the abduction and personally unleashing physical violence on a young man, identified as Madu, over his political stance.
The victim’s ordeal was revealed in a video shared online by a former Students’ Union Government (SUG) President, Caesar Francis, who documented Madu undergoing medical treatment for injuries sustained during the brutal attack.
Narrating his ordeal in his native Izzi dialect, Madu explained that he was accosted by a four-man gang identified as Ikechukwu Egede, Emmanuel Nwambe, Okwy Nwambe, and Ogeje Kingsley.
According to Madu, the group forced him into a Toyota Sienna minibus and took him against his will to Commissioner Offia-Nwali’s private residence after he refused their demands to accompany them voluntarily.
Upon arrival at the commissioner’s house, Offia-Nwali reportedly confronted Madu with a video in which Madu declared support for Rollins, the commissioner’s brother who is contesting a seat in the State House of Assembly under the platform of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
When the reportedly commissioner asked, “Are you talking about me?” Madu claimed that he clarified that his comments were aimed generally at non-performing political office holders and maintained that he supported Rollins because he believed he would deliver better governance.
Madu alleged that the commissioner immediately turned violent, personally attacking him without intervention from the men who brought him.
Madu said he suffered multiple injuries, alleging that the commissioner “repeatedly stomped on his head with his foot while he was pinned to the ground, kicked his face forcefully, slammed his head onto the floor and slapped him repeatedly across his eyes.”
Madu alleged that all the injuries he sustained were inflicted directly by Offia-Nwali himself, while the young men who brought him merely watched.
Meanwhile, in another video clip seen by SaharaReporters, Madu was seen lying on the floor as the commissioner allegedly pinned him down with his leg while his thugs watched from a short distance. The victim was initially seen sitting on the floor.
Reacting to the incident, former SUG President Caesar Francis condemned the commissioner’s alleged actions, describing Madu as a poor young man who had been caught in the crossfire of political rivalries.
Caesar said Madu had since been moved to a safe location and provided with the necessary medical attention following the alleged assault.
Caesar also addressed claims made by Offia-Nwali in social media publications, where the commissioner allegedly claimed credit for “packaging” Caesar during his SUG presidency campaign and alleged that Caesar had been calling his phone.
Offia-Nwali had earlier taken to his social media platforms, where he wrote: “See Caesar Francis writing petition against me a small boy that we packaged as SUG President in June 21st, 2018 while he was still wearing pampers in AE-FUNAI. Na person wey no know the empty boy, him dey use create content.”
In another post, Offia-Nwali boasted saying: “When we get closer to the bridge, I am not brought up to be a complainant.
“But like I said, if NDC or any opposition party wins any polling unit in Ameka I will resign.”
Swearing that he had never met or spoken with Offia-Nwali, Caesar challenged the commissioner to produce any photograph or other evidence of their alleged meeting. He maintained that he had only known the politician through social media and had never had his phone number.
Caesar urged public officials to stop using state resources to fund personal lifestyles, sponsor political thuggery, and intimidate common citizens.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters’ efforts to contact Commissioner Offia-Nwali for his reaction to the alleged assault were unsuccessful. He did not answer calls or respond to a text message sent to him seeking his response as of the time of filing this report.