The Imo State Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. Bernard Thomson O. Ikegwuoha, has stated that he did not build his multi-million naira house in Owerri with government proceeds.
Ikegwuoha made this known while reacting to allegations leveled against him by some concerned Imo indigenes, who accused him of fraud and other illegal activities within the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The accusers alleged that Ikegwuoha has lowered the quality standards of primary and secondary education in the state, claiming that he was involved in the illegal collection of fees for book reviews, booking, examinations, Senior WAEC and NECO, Junior WAEC (BECE), among other irregularities.
The Commissioner, however, denied the allegations, describing them as deliberate attempts to tarnish his image and derail his efforts to reform and sanitize the education sector, particularly addressing misconduct by some teachers and officials.
Ikegwuoha maintained that there is nothing wrong with a government appointee or elected official owning property, as long as the source of income is legitimate.
“As for the building you referred to, it belongs to me and serves as my family house. Let me emphasize that it is not illegal to build a house while in office, provided the sources of the funds are legitimate.”
He further noted that the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) requires all public officials to declare their assets and sources of income.
“The Code of Conduct Bureau law mandates that all government appointees and elected officials declare their assets and sources of income. At the end of my tenure, any citizen can request access to my asset declaration to verify whether the house was duly declared or not,” Ikegwuoha added.
