The reputation of the Abia State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ASOPADEC) has come under fresh scrutiny following explosive allegations against its former Director of Finance, Mr. Kelechi Uwaoma, popularly known as “Wommy”.
Mr. Uwaoma, a member of the influential Umuahia Premier Club, is accused of abusing his position within the Commission to manipulate a staff posting for personal benefit, in what observers describe as a “blatant violation of workplace ethics and betrayal of trust”.
Investigations suggest that in 2023, a staff member in ASOPADEC’s Social Development Department, who is married with children, complained to her husband about limited work activity. Acting in good faith, the husband reportedly approached Mr. Uwaoma—his close associate—for assistance in securing his wife a more engaging role.
Rather than follow due process, Uwaoma allegedly orchestrated her transfer to his own office as secretary. It is claimed that this arrangement opened the door to an inappropriate relationship, which ultimately spanned nearly three years and was kept hidden until 2025, when the woman’s husband discovered explicit videos on an old mobile phone.
The scandal has rattled the Umuahia Premier Club community, where both men are prominent members.
While both parties initially denied wrongdoing, sources say the former Finance Director later admitted to the acts after being confronted by a traditional ruler. The matter has sparked heated debates locally, with calls for ASOPADEC to strengthen workplace policies to prevent abuse of office and safeguard staff welfare.
As the fallout continues, civil society groups have urged the State government to treat the allegations not just as a private scandal but as a serious breach of public service ethics, demanding a formal inquiry to determine whether state resources or authority were misused in the course of the alleged affair.
