There is palpable tension at the Enugu State Ministry of Transport following the reported resignation of the Commissioner, Dr. Obi Ozor, SaharaReporters can exclusively report.

Ozor, who was appointed by Governor Peter Mbah in August 2023, was allegedly ordered to vacate his office by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidi Onyia.

According to insider sources, the Commissioner’s office at the Ministry of Transport in Independence Layout—opposite Universal Hotel, by WAEC Junction—has been padlocked for three days, preventing him from accessing his desk.

Although the resignation has not been officially announced, sources told SaharaReporters that a retired Permanent Secretary, Mr. Nnam Okoh, a relative of Governor Mbah, has been recalled to oversee the ministry, despite the presence of a serving Permanent Secretary.

The trouble surrounding Ozor, described as one of the finest commissioners under the Mbah administration, began weeks ago when the state government petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of fraud and embezzlement amounting to billions of naira.

SaharaReporters gathered that Ozor was subsequently arrested alongside his wife and detained at the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office for two days. They were released after records showed that he did not steal or embezzle state funds.

“When he returned to resume his work, his office was locked. Subsequently, the SSG Prof Chidi Onyia directed him to resign his appointment,” an insider source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday. “Since two weeks now Ozor hasn’t been seen around his office or attended weekly State Exco meeting at the government house.”

Sources suggest that some government officials became jealous of Ozor after he reportedly brokered a lucrative deal with the company that sold aircraft for the state’s carrier, EnuguAir, where he allegedly made billions of naira.

He was subsequently accused of stealing government funds.

Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Dr. Ozor was the former CEO and Co-founder of Kobo360, a prominent digital logistics platform in Africa. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business School and previously worked with J.P. Morgan and Uber.

During his tenure, Ozor initiated the Multimodal Transport & BRT system, leading the roll-out of modern CNG-powered buses, the construction of world-class transport terminals, and the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. He also spearheaded traffic enforcement measures, including a ₦500,000 fine for driving against traffic (one-way driving) to curb road accidents.

Efforts to speak with Dr. Ozor were unsuccessful as he did not take his calls or respond to a text message seeking his reaction.

When contacted on the telephone, the state Commissioner for Information, Malachy Agbo, did not take his calls.