Investigation uncovers alleged financial misconduct behind Delta cabinet reshuffle

Fresh details have emerged surrounding the recent redeployment of commissioners in Delta State, with sources alleging that the shake-up was triggered by findings of financial irregularities within key ministries.

Last month, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori approved a cabinet reshuffle that saw several commissioners moved to new portfolios.

The announcement was conveyed in an official statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Kingsley Eze Emu.

Under the new arrangement, the former Commissioner for Energy, Sunny Tatabuzogwu, was reassigned to the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Renewal.

In a corresponding move, Michael Ifeanyi Anoka, who previously headed Physical Planning, was appointed to oversee the Energy Ministry.

The changes took immediate effect.

Multiple sources familiar with developments within the administration claim that the redeployment of the Energy Commissioner was connected to alleged misconduct tied to the state’s Independent Power Plant (IPP).

The power facility, initiated during the tenure of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, supplies electricity to the State Secretariat complex and other government installations in Asaba.

According to a senior government official who requested anonymity, the controversy began when concerns were raised over payments made by private entities connected to the IPP.

Funds reportedly meant for government accounts were allegedly diverted into private accounts, with ministry officials said to be involved.

The issue is believed to have come to the governor’s attention after a serving commissioner was instructed to remit fees into a non-official account and subsequently reported the matter.

This reportedly prompted an internal probe.

Sources allege that preliminary findings from the investigation pointed to significant financial diversion, a development said to have angered the governor.

Rather than dismiss the commissioner outright, the administration opted for redeployment while further actions are considered.

Education Ministry Also Affected
The reshuffle also impacted the education sector. Mrs. Rose Ezewu was moved from the Ministry of Secondary Education to the Ministry of Primary Education.

Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu was named as her successor in Secondary Education.

Insiders allege that Ezewu’s redeployment followed complaints of extortion, unauthorised levies, and administrative misconduct within the secondary school system.

However, no official statement has confirmed these allegations.

In a related development, two Deputy Directors in the Energy Ministry, Austin Unabor and Mr Frank Nwaebo, were transferred to the Office of the Head of Service.

An official circular dated January 27, 2026, reportedly formalised their redeployment.

Efforts to obtain direct responses from those affected yielded limited results.

Mrs. Ezewu could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.

Tatabuzogwu, when contacted, declined to address the allegations, stating that he no longer oversees the Energy Ministry and was not aware of the specific claims.

The Delta State Government has yet to issue a detailed public statement addressing the allegations or outlining the outcome of any ongoing investigations.

As the situation unfolds, political observers said the redeployments signal the administration’s attempt to contain potential fallout while maintaining continuity in governance.

Whether further disciplinary measures would follow remained to be seen.