Abia : Why we are probing past govt – Otti
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, says that the decision by his administration to probe the immediate-past government was in response to the yearnings and complaints of Abians who have inundated the new government with numerous complaints of mind-boggling malfeasance allegedly by top officials of the past government.
Otti who offered the explanation on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, while inaugurating a five-member Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Government Properties and Funds belonging to the state at Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia, said but for the complaints, the desire of his administration was to settle down to governance and hit the ground running on assumption of office.
But the Governor complained that even almost after one month of assumption of office, his administration was still finding it hard to properly take-off because it met a hostile handover situation which may have been created by the alleged large-scale looting of government properties which eventually made officials of the out-gone government not to cooperate with his administration during the handover period.
The Governor stressed that setting up the panel became necessary as the new administration was constantly inundated with complaints by the public following what he described as “unbridled looting and misuse of government properties and resources” by the past administration.
“Ordinarily,” he said, “the desire of this administration would have been to focus on the business of governance and the delivering of the dividend of democracy without resorting to any form of inquiry into past deeds.
“Unfortunately, since our assumption of office, about a month ago, we have been inundated with complaints of unimaginable and large-scale malfeasance by very highly placed members of the past government and their patrons.
“We have also experienced unbridled looting and misuse of government properties and resources. Besides, we have been experiencing difficulties in accessing government properties, which would usually be available to continue with the business of governance. As at now, so many MDAs find it very difficult to perform their day-to-day duties. Even public schools were not spared, as parts of their lands have been converted to private use.
“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 the 29th of May, as we had anticipated. We therefore assumed office blindly and had to start practically from below ground zero. We are now discovering that the reason for the lack of cooperation might have arisen from widespread mischief by some of those who were given custody of our collective assets and welfare.
“It is for the foregoing reasons that we came to the conclusion that it would amount to being insensitive and reckless and encouraging bad behaviour, if our administration did not listen to the yearnings of those who elected us, by looking into their complaints. The government decided therefore to set up this Judicial Panel of Inquiry to ensure the recovery of government funds and properties,” Otti added.
Prior to the inauguration of the Panel, Otti had used several fora to sternly warn those in possession of government property or funds to return same as his administration would take legal steps to bring such culprits to book, vowing that Abia’s resources would not be privatized under his watch.
The Governor listed the five terms of reference for the judicial panel to include:
“To receive and examine complaints and memoranda from individuals and corporate entities on the looting and or conversion of Government Properties, Funds and Related Matters; and where necessary, make recommendations to the government for remedial measures or any other measures as appropriate.
“Examine and ascertain whether government moveable and immovable assets and funds or part of it have been illegally acquired /occupied/converted to private use and identify the persons responsible and further make recommendations for recovery and appropriate sanctions.
“Ascertain the extent of allocation and revocation of land in Abia State from May 2015 – May 2023 and determine the propriety of such allocation and revocation.
“Review the award and execution of contracts from May 2015 to May 2023 and ascertain if they were in conformity with extant laws; and
“To investigate any other matter incidental or related to the foregoing terms of reference and make recommendations to the government based on their findings.”
He expressed optimism that members of the panel would live up to expectation and contribute to the task of rebuilding Abia State for the benefit of all citizens and residents, while appealing to the general public to avail members of the panel with any information at their disposal that would help in the recovery of the government properties and funds allegedly looted by the past administration.
Responding on behalf of other members, Chairman of the Panel, Justice Florence Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe (Rtd), noted that setting up of the panel of Inquiry was a positive step towards reversing the past negative narratives of the state, emphasizing that the exercise was not targeted at anybody.
Justice Duruoha-Igwe assured that the Panel would perform her assignment creditably without fear or favor, and in line with the terms of reference as laid down by the Governor; adding that the Panel would make useful recommendations.
Other members of the Panel are Prof. Ogwo Ekeoma Ogwo, Prof. Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and Rev. Fr. Barr Alex Okonkwo.
