Abia judiciary panel commences investigation of Ikpeazu’s administration

The Judicial Inquiry Panel established by Governor Alex Otti of Abia State have started investigating the administration of his predecessor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has commenced its sessions in Umuahia. The panel has refuted claims that they were served with an injunction from Ikpeazu.

According to a previous report, it was alleged that Ikpeazu had obtained a court injunction in Abuja, which purportedly restrained the State Government from probing him and his administration’s officials.

Governor Otti inaugurated the Judicial Inquiry Panel on June 27, with the objective of recovering government assets, funds, and related matters. He had pledged in his inauguration speech to retrieve all state funds and properties misappropriated by public officeholders. The panel’s mandate spans from 2015 to May 2023.

Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe (rtd), the Chairperson of the panel, emphasized during the inaugural session that the panel would diligently pursue individuals who can be proven to have engaged in looting. She clarified that the panel’s role involves both investigation and advisory aspects, with the intention to offer suitable recommendations to the government based on their findings.

Justice Duruoha-Igwe further clarified that the panel was not established to target anyone unfairly but to uncover what transpired with Abia State’s funds and properties between May 2015 and May 2023. She emphasized that the panel would exercise its powers in evidence collection and proceedings.

Ikechukwu Uwanna, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, expressed concern over the significant level of looting that occurred during the preceding administration. He indicated that the government would take action against those responsible for the looting spree.

Uwanna encouraged the panel to conduct a thorough investigation and hold public servants accountable for their actions. He called on the public to share any relevant information that could aid in recovering stolen funds.

The Chairman of the Umuahia branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Jasper Ejiomofor, praised Governor Otti for initiating the investigation into his predecessor’s activities. However, he expressed the desire for the probe to encompass a broader timeframe, not limited to 2015. Ejiomofor asserted that some of the misappropriation impacting Abia State occurred before the last administration.