Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has removed the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Stanley Lebechi Mbam, from office with immediate effect.
The decision was announced on Saturday, September 19, 2026, in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Monday Uzor.
According to the statement, Mbam has been directed to immediately hand over all government property in his possession, including his official vehicle, to the Secretary to the State Government.
He was also directed to hand over the responsibilities of the Ministry of Works to the Permanent Secretary pending further directives from the governor.
The statement did not disclose a specific reason for the commissioner’s removal but said the governor remained committed to effective governance and improving public infrastructure in Ebonyi State.
Saturday’s removal comes about four months after Mbam was recalled from an earlier suspension.
On February 28, 2026, Governor Nwifuru indefinitely suspended Mbam alongside the then Commissioner for Infrastructure Development for Concession, Engr. Ogbonnaya Obasi Abara.
The suspension was attributed to alleged dereliction of duty. The affected commissioners were also ordered to hand over government property, including their official vehicles, to the Secretary to the State Government.
Following the suspension, Mbam publicly apologised to the governor and accepted responsibility for what he described as lapses in the Ministry of Works under his watch. He appealed for another opportunity to serve.
On May 3, 2026, Nwifuru announced the recall of Mbam and other suspended officials during a church service at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki.
Mbam subsequently returned to his position as Commissioner for Works.
On September 15, Mbam told journalists that the Nwifuru administration had completed more than 627 kilometres of roads across Ebonyi State.
The commissioner was still publicly performing his official duties days before Saturday’s announcement.
On September 15, Mbam told journalists that the Nwifuru administration had completed more than 627 kilometres of roads across Ebonyi State.
He made the statement during activities surrounding the 2026 Press Week of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ebonyi State Council, while discussing infrastructure projects executed by the administration.
Mbam also highlighted projects including the Vanco interchange and underground tunnel in Abakaliki.
Following the governor’s directive, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works is expected to take over the responsibilities of the ministry pending further instructions.
On September 15, Mbam told journalists that the Nwifuru administration had completed more than 627 kilometres of roads across Ebonyi State.
It is not yet clear when Governor Nwifuru will appoint and swear in a replacement for Mbam.
The latest development also comes amid the administration’s continued focus on road construction and other infrastructure projects across the state.
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