Coalition demands transparency over reported ICPC and EFCC matters, seeks clarification on alleged ₦200 million budget demand
The Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance (CCSGG) is an umbrella body comprising more than 52 civil society organisations committed to promoting accountability, transparency and good governance in Nigeria’s public and private sectors.
The Coalition contributes to the fight against corruption and serves as a civil-society watchdog on matters relating to governance, public accountability and Nigeria’s electoral processes.
As part of our commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process through credible elections, we believe that civil society organisations must remain vigilant and scrutinise the records, qualifications, conduct and policy proposals of individuals seeking public office.
It is against this background that the Coalition calls on the National Democratic Congress governorship candidate for Enugu State, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, to provide clear and verifiable answers to questions arising from reported legal and administrative controversies associated with different stages of his public-service career.
Allegations do not amount to guilt, and every individual is entitled to the presumption of innocence.
Nevertheless, anyone seeking to occupy the highest political office in any State in Nigeria, Enugu State inclusive, must be prepared to answer legitimate questions concerning integrity, accountability, judgment and public trust.
The people of Enugu State deserve a campaign founded on facts, credible records and practical development programmes, rather than slogans, personal attacks or unsubstantiated political accusations.
OHAA MUST CLARIFY THE REPORTED 2018 ICPC CASE:
In December 2018, it was reported that the Federal Government, acting through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, filed charges against Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa and the then Director of Lands in the Federal Capital Territory, Adamu Jibreel.
The case, reportedly filed as charge number CR/76/18 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, allegedly concerned obstruction of an investigation into disputed land allocations and failure to honour official invitations issued in connection with the investigation.
The Coalition is not asking the public to speculate about the matter. We are asking Ohaa to disclose the relevant records and explain how the proceeding was resolved.
The people of Enugu State deserve answers to the following questions:
1. Was Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa formally charged under case number CR/76/18?
2. What specific allegations were contained in the charge?
3. Was he accused of failing to honour invitations issued by the ICPC, and if so, what was his response?
4. Did investigators request any document, information or official cooperation from him?
5. What was his role in the land-allocation matters under investigation?
6. Was any judicial finding made against him?
7. Was the case tried, dismissed, withdrawn or struck out?
8. Was he discharged, acquitted or otherwise formally cleared?
9. If the matter was resolved in his favour, will he publish the relevant ruling, judgment or court order?
- Why has the complete and final outcome of the proceeding not been presented to the Enugu electorate?
If the case was dismissed or resolved in Ohaa’s favour, publication of the relevant court records would help correct any inaccurate public narrative. If reports about the proceeding misrepresented his role, he should provide the documents necessary to establish the facts.
This is not a declaration of guilt. It is a legitimate demand for transparency from a person asking the people of Enugu State to entrust him with executive authority.
OHAA SHOULD EXPLAIN THE REPORTED EARLIER EFCC MATTER:
Questions have also been raised about an earlier matter reportedly involving Ohaa and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission during the tenure of Nuhu Ribadu.
Former Senate President Ken Nnamani was reported to have disclosed that he intervened in the matter.
According to the reported account, Ohaa was ultimately treated as a prosecution witness rather than proceeding as a defendant. Because the complete circumstances surrounding the reported matter remain unclear, the Coalition calls on Ohaa to provide a documented explanation.
He should clarify:
1. What matter initially brought him to the attention of the EFCC?
- Was he formally invited, investigated, arrested or recommended for prosecution?
- What was the nature of the intervention attributed to Ken Nnamani?
- Did that intervention affect the EFCC’s handling of the matter?
- Why was Ohaa reportedly treated as a prosecution witness?
- Did he enter into any formal cooperation arrangement with the EFCC?
- Did he provide evidence or testimony in proceedings involving other individuals?
- Were any contemplated charges against him formally discontinued?
- Was there a judicial or administrative decision clearing him of wrongdoing?
- Will he publish the relevant EFCC correspondence, court filings or other official records showing what happened?
If the reported intervention occurred, the public is entitled to know whether the decisions taken in the matter were based exclusively on evidence and law.
The Coalition is not making a finding of wrongdoing. We are demanding clarity about a matter that has entered the public domain and may influence voters’ assessment of a governorship candidate.
ALLEGED ₦200 MILLION BUDGET BRIBERY DEMAND REQUIRES CLARIFICATION:
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, reportedly alleged that members of a National Assembly committee demanded ₦200 million during a budget-defence process.
If Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa was the permanent secretary at the material time, he should explain what he knew about the alleged demand and what actions he took.
Ohaa should answer the following questions:
- Was he the permanent secretary referred to in the reported account?
- Was he present at the budget-defence session during which the alleged demand was made?
- Did any member of the National Assembly or committee representative discuss a ₦200 million payment with him?
- Did he meet with committee members after the minister left the proceedings?
- Was any payment requested in connection with the consideration, passage or approval of the ministry’s budget?
- Did he report any improper demand to the minister, the police, the EFCC, the ICPC or another competent authority?
- Was any public money approved, released, transferred or paid in connection with the alleged demand?
- Does he possess minutes, correspondence, payment records or other documents showing what occurred?
- Was he questioned by any investigative agency concerning the allegation?
- Will he cooperate with an independent investigation and make the relevant records available?
These questions should not be interpreted as evidence of culpability. They are requests for clarification arising from a reported public allegation and Ohaa’s position in the public service at the relevant time.
PROVIDE DOCUMENTS, NOT CAMPAIGN SLOGANS:
The people of Enugu State are entitled to assess the character, judgment and public-service record of every individual seeking to govern them.
Accordingly, the Coalition calls on Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa to provide:
•A certified copy of the charge reportedly filed in case number CR/76/18.
•The judgment, ruling or formal record showing how the case ended.
•His complete written response to the reported ICPC allegations.
•Documentary information clarifying the earlier EFCC matter.
•An explanation of the intervention publicly attributed to Ken Nnamani.
•Records establishing whether he was the permanent secretary connected with the budget incident described by Solomon Dalung.
•A categorical statement indicating whether he ever requested, authorised, facilitated, received or reported an improper payment connected with the alleged ₦200 million demand.
•A public commitment to cooperate with any lawful investigation into the matters raised.
If the allegations are false, Ohaa should establish that fact with verifiable records.
If the reported cases were dismissed, withdrawn or resolved in his favour, he should publish the relevant decisions.
If media reports have distorted his role, he should correct the public record with credible evidence.
The fundamental questions remain: What happened? What was his role? How were the matters resolved? Where are the official records?
The people of Enugu State deserve clear answers.
OUR DEMANDS:
The Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance calls on Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa to take the following steps:
- Publish records showing the current status and final outcome of charge number CR/76/18.
- Provide a documented explanation of the allegations reportedly investigated by the ICPC.
- Clarify the circumstances of the earlier EFCC matter.
- Explain the nature and effect of the intervention attributed to former Senate President Ken Nnamani.
- Disclose whether he was the permanent secretary referred to in Solomon Dalung’s account of the alleged ₦200 million budget demand.
- State what he knew about the alleged demand and what action, if any, he took.
- Publish any official records capable of clarifying his involvement or establishing that he was not involved in wrongdoing.
- Commit publicly to cooperating with any lawful and independent investigation into the matters raised.
- Refrain from inflammatory, misleading or unsupported political accusations.
- Ensure that his campaign and supporters respect the rule of law and reject political violence, intimidation and misinformation.
- Publish a detailed manifesto setting out his alternative development agenda for Enugu State.
- Explain how his proposed programmes would be funded, implemented, monitored and independently evaluated.
ENOUGH OF POLITICS WITHOUT SUBSTANCE:
The Coalition will not support the conviction of any person in the court of partisan propaganda.
However, the presumption of innocence must not become an excuse for avoiding legitimate questions about matters already in the public domain.
Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa is entitled to defend his reputation, correct inaccurate reports and present evidence establishing the truth.
At the same time, the people of Enugu State are entitled to demand transparency from anyone seeking their mandate.
If the allegations are false, Ohaa should disprove them with verifiable documents.
If the cases were resolved in his favour, he should publish the relevant decisions.
If he has a superior development plan, he should present it to the people.
If he possesses evidence of wrongdoing by any public official, he should submit it to the appropriate authorities and make it available through lawful channels.
If he seeks to govern Enugu State, he must demonstrate the discipline, transparency, competence and responsibility that leadership demands.
Chinyeaka Ohaa should address the allegations with verifiable documents.
This position was conveyed in a press release jointly signed by representatives of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance and its affiliated organisations:
1.Comrade Okpanachi Jacob, Principal Convener, Coalition of Civil Society for Good Governance (CCSGG)
2.Comrade Momoh Prince Danesi, National Coordinator, Citizens for Good Governance, Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Initiative
3.Comrade Friday James Onuh, National Secretary, Initiative for Good Governance and Justice
4.Comrade Igwe Martins, National Peace Ambassadors Network
5.Hajia Aisha Seidu, National Leader, Patriotic Anti-Corruption Women League of Nigeria
6.Comrade Ebiloma Abdullahi, Nigerian Unemployed Youth Vanguard for National Rebirth
7.Prince Chidiebere Ibe, Initiative for Diplomatic Knowledge Transfer
8.Success Ukoh, Mass Movement for a New Nigeria
9.Marcus Onokerhoraye, National Youth Movement for Credible Leadership
10.Dere Faka Ajubo, Youths for National Rebirth Initiative
The statement was issued on behalf of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance in Abuja, Nigeria, on October 15, 2026.
