Gov. Otti goes after looters of Abia properties, funds

From PETER OKORE, Umuahia

Irked by the spate of looting of public funds and properties since the former ruling PDP-led government of the state in the past 24 years, which reached its peak after it lost power in the 2023 general elections, the state governor Dr. Alex Otti has instituted a 5-man Judicial panel of Inquiry to recover properties and funds belonging to the state government.

The panel has Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe (rtd) as chairman. Other members of the panel are: Prof. Ogwo Ekeoma Ogwo, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and Rev. Father Barr Alex Okonkwo.

According to reliable sources, Government lands, furniture, refrigerators, heavy-duty generating generating sets, air-conditioners, assorted brands of vehicles, files, hospital equipments, etc, were carted away with ignominy.

In the same way, funds were allegedly withdrawn without formalities and shared amongst those described as party stakeholders and functionaries in the state, without considerations to Civil servants and pensioners.

Most affected Government Ministries and department include Government House in Umuahia; Government lodge, Aba; Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; Abia state Teaching Hospital, Aba; College of Health Sciences and Management Technology, Aba; Abia Newspapers Corporation and others.

Pundits described the gesture as “looting spree” by government functionaries in Abia over the years. Contracts were awarded, funds released on party patronages, but later abandoned. Some of them include the Dozie-Way Road, Roads in World bank Housing Estate, Umuahia, Idim Abam road, etc; school children paid N400.00 each for DNA tests and allegedly paid into private accounts, while there were discrepancies in the managements of the Primary Schools feeding programme and allocation of funds and cooks to schools in rural communities.

Meanwhile, for several years, the immediate-past governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state relocated to his private home at Umuobiakwa , Obingwa LGA, as his choice Government House. PDP governors and other top dignitaries and functionaries held their meetings there, instead of Umuahia.

However, speaking while inaugurating the panel at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, Governor Otti made it clear that the setting up of the panel was necessitated by the myriads of complaints from the public about massive looting of government property by some individuals, coupled with the fact that since he took over office as governor of Abia state, he has been inundated with petitions bordering on widespread lootings in Abia state.

He noted that it would amount to being insensitive to neglect such complaints which is adversely affecting the daily running of government.

The Governor expressed confidence that members of the panel would perform creditably and called on all to support the panel with useful pieces of information on where the stolen properties and funds are deposited/ located or who- and- who are holding them.

Terms of Reference of the panel are ; (1) To receive and examine complaints and memoranda from individuals and other entity on the looting or conversion of government property, funds and related matters , and where necessary make recommendations to the government for remedial measures or any other measure as appropriate.

(2.) To examine and ascertain whether government’s moveable or immoveable assets and funds have been illegally acquired or occupied or converted to private use, and identify the person/persons who are responsible and further make recommendations for recovering and appropriate sanctions.

(3.) The panel is also to ascertain the extent of allocations and revocations of lands in Abia State from May 2015 to May, 2023 and determine the propriety of such allocation or revocation or otherwise. (4.) Review the award and execution of contracts from May ,2015 to May 2023 and ascertain if they were in conformity with the extant laws.

(5.) To investigate any other matter incidental or related to the foregoing terms of reference and make recommendations to the government based on their findings.

Responding on behalf of other members of the panel, the Chairman, Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe pledged that they would discharge their duties as quickly as possible to enable Abia State to move ahead. She explained that the panel would not carry out their duties as if they have already targeted and branded anybody as guilty.

She, however, made public that they shall lay open their findings and make credible recommendations to the Governor and urged all persons with helpful information, memoranda and petitions to approach the panel so that justice shall prevail in the State. She thanked the Governor for the opportunity to serve and pledged not to disappoint the people in the execution of their duties.