Ebonyi Commissioner Offia-Nwali accused of abducting youth Madu for supporting NDC Assembly candidate Rollins in Ebonyi.
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Business Development, Oguzorkanu Offia-Nwali, has been accused of ordering the abduction and personally assaulting a young man identified as Madu over his political choice.
The allegation has sparked outrage in Ebonyi after a video of the victim receiving medical treatment surfaced online.
The video was shared by former Students' Union Government President, Caesar Francis, who said he found Madu badly injured and had to move him to safety.
According to Madu, who spoke in his native Izzi dialect in the video, his ordeal started when he was confronted by four men.
He identified them as Ikechukwu Egede, Emmanuel Nwambe, Okwy Nwambe and Ogeje Kingsley.
Madu said the group insisted he must follow them. When he refused, they forced him into a Toyota Sienna minibus.
He was then driven against his will to the private residence of Commissioner Offia-Nwali.
Why Politics Triggered The Alleged Attack
On arrival, the commissioner allegedly confronted Madu with a video clip.
In the clip, Madu had openly declared support for Rollins, who is said to be the commissioner's own brother.
Rollins is contesting for a seat in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly under the platform of the National Democratic Congress, NDC.
The commissioner reportedly asked him, "Are you talking about me?"
Madu explained that he was not referring to the commissioner directly. He said his comment was about non-performing office holders in general.
He added that he supports Rollins because he believes Rollins will deliver better governance.
That explanation, according to Madu, did not calm the situation.
How The Assault Allegedly Happened
Madu alleged that Commissioner Offia-Nwali immediately turned violent.
He claimed the commissioner personally attacked him while the four men who brought him only watched.
In his account, the commissioner repeatedly stomped on his head with his foot while he was pinned to the ground.
He also alleged that the commissioner kicked his face forcefully, slammed his head on the floor and slapped him repeatedly across the eyes.
Madu insisted that all the injuries he sustained were inflicted directly by the commissioner himself.
A second video clip seen by SaharaReporters appears to corroborate part of the story.
In that clip, Madu is seen lying on the floor while a man alleged to be the commissioner pins him down with his leg. The other young men were seen standing at a short distance.
Caesar Francis Reacts
Reacting to the incident, former SUG President Caesar Francis condemned the alleged action in strong terms.
He described Madu as a poor young man who was caught in the crossfire of political rivalry. Caesar said Madu has been moved to a safe location and is now receiving proper medical care. He also faulted the use of political power to intimidate ordinary citizens in the state.
Commissioner Fires Back On Social Media
Meanwhile, Commissioner Offia-Nwali has taken to his social media pages to respond.
Instead of addressing the assault allegation directly, he attacked Caesar Francis.
In one post, 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, he boasted: "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."
Caesar Challenges Commissioner
Caesar has denied ever meeting the commissioner.
He swore he has never spoken with Offia-Nwali or had his phone number. He challenged the commissioner to produce any photograph or evidence showing they have ever met.
According to him, he only knew Offia-Nwali through social media.
Caesar also called on public office holders to stop using state resources to fund personal lifestyles and political thuggery.
He urged them to stop intimidating common citizens for having different political views.
As of the time of filing this report, SaharaReporters said efforts to reach Commissioner Offia-Nwali for his own side of the story were unsuccessful.
Calls placed to his phone were not answered and a text message sent to him had not been replied.
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