Otti Swears-In Anti-Corruption Panel To Probe Former Governor, Ikpeazu Over Looted Govt Property, Stolen Funds

Abia State Governor Alex Otti, has swore in members of the judicial panel of inquiry on the recovery of looted Government property and stolen funds belonging to the state during the era of ex-governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

 The members of the panel include, Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe, former Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University, Professor Ogwo E Ogwo; Prof Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and Rev Father Barr Alex Okonkwo.

Otti, while swearing-in the members of the panel, on Tuesday, said his intention was not to engage in witch-hunting of past Government officials adding that he was under pressure from the public to probe his predecessor.

According to the governor, there was no way he could have ignored the public out cry by members of the public to probe past Government officials, following crude looting that allegedly characterized the administration.

” Ordinarily, the desire of this administration would have been to focus on the business of governance and delivery of democracy dividends without resorting to any form of inquiry into the past

” Unfortunately however, since assumption of office, we have been inundated with complaints of unimaginable and large-scale maleficence by very highly-placed members of the past administration and their patrons.” He said.

The governor stressed that immediately after his inauguration, he received lots of petitions and complaints from Abia people, especially on the looting of Government property, urging him to probe past administration. 

” We have also experienced unbridled looting and misuse of government property and resources

” As at now, so many Ministries, Agencies the Departments ( MDAs), find it very difficult to perform their daily duties”, Otti lamented.

According to Otti, the state was yet to recover from the adverse effect of looting by the past administration.

 ”Even public schools were not spared” in the looting spree of the past administration as part of their lands has been converted to private use”. The Governor revealed.

He disclosed that his predecessor, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu disappointed him in the way he handled his handover excercise.

”Let me reveal that this administration experienced a very hostile handover situation which made it very difficult for us to hit the ground running on May 29 as we had anticipated.

”We assumed office blindly and had to start from ground zero. We are now discovering that the reason for the lack of cooperation might have risen from widespread mischief by some of those who were given custody of our collective assets and welfare.

”It is for the foregoing that we come to the conclusion that it would amount to being insensitive and reckless, and also encouraging bad behaviour if our administration did not listen to the yearnings of those who elected us by looking into their complaints.

”Government decided to set up this judicial panel of inquiry to ensure the recovery of government funds and property that had been taken away”. Otti further noted.

According to the Governor, the terms of reference of the committee , ”To receive and examine complaints and memoranda from individuals and corporate entities on the looting and conversion of government property, funds and related matters, and where necessary, make recommendations for remedial measures or any other measures appreciate; to examine and ascertain whether government movable and immovable assets and funds or parts thereof have been acquired or converted to private use, and identify the persons responsibly, and make recommendations for recovering them as well as appropriate sanctions”.

Others include: ” To ascertain the extent of allocation and revocation of land in Abia State from May 2015 to May 2023, and determine the appropriateness of such allocations or revocations or otherwise; to review the award and revocation of contracts from May 2015 to May 2023, and ascertain if they were in conformity with extant laws”.

He also tasked the panel to investigate any other matters incidental or related to the terms of reference and make appropriate recommendations. 

The Governor challenged the panel to discharge its assignment expeditiously, stating that he had confidence in the members considering their antecedents and challenged them to live up to the high expirations of Abians concerning the recovery of the state’s looted funds.

Otti equally charged the members of the public to furnish the panel with credible information that might be useful for the success of the panel, warning all his Aides not to engage in any form of corrupt practice as they might also be investigated by his successor in office.

”Setting up of this panel is a pointer that in a few year’s time, we will be leaving office and those that will succeed us may also investigate our records. Therefore, discharge your duties in such a manner you will not be found wanting”. He explained.

The Chairman of the five-man panel, retired Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe, responding, thanked the Governor for giving them the opportunity to serve, and promised to be fair, thorough and upright in the discharge of their duty.