Abia Judicial Panel Calls For Memoranda On Govt Properties’ Recovery
BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Ready to address all issues associated with the alleged looting and conversion of government properties and funds, the Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of government Properties, Funds, and Related Matters has now opened its doors to receive petitions and memoranda from members of the public.
The Panel, expected to commence sitting on Tuesday, 15th August 2023 at 10 am at Old Government House in Umuahia, says all interested individuals and groups must submit the relevant documents on or before 21 days from the date of this announcement.
According to a statement by its Secretary, Engineer (Mrs) Justina Oluchi Ebo, the Panel said the following procedures would be adopted in receiving all submissions from members of the public:
– Interested members of the public are requested to submit seven copies of Petitions/Memoranda typed in double-line spacing; Each Petition must be verified by an affidavit while a memorandum may be notarized or verified by an affidavit; Each Petition/Memoranda shall contain: The full address, email, and telephone number of the petitioner; Names, addresses, and phone numbers of a respondent; Date, place, nature, and circumstances of the complaint. This shall be submitted in an envelope and addressed to: the Secretary to the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Government Properties and Funds And Related Matters, Old Government House, Umuahia, Abia State; and Documents must be submitted on or before twenty-one days from the date of this publication.
In setting up the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Government Properties, Funds, and Related Matters, the Abia State Government (ABSG) outlined its Terms of Reference (ToR) thus: a. To receive and examine complaints from individuals and corporate entities on the looting and or conversion of Government properties, funds, and related matters from May 2015 to May 2023 and, where necessary, make recommendations to the Governor for remedial measures or any other measures as appropriate; b. Examine and ascertain whether Government moveable and immovable assets and funds or part of it have been illegally acquired/occupied/converted to private use from May 2015 to May 2023 and identify the persons responsible and further make recommendations for recovery and appropriate sanctions; and c. Ascertain the extent of allocation and revocation of land in Abia State from May 2015 to May 2023 and determine the propriety of such allocation and revocation.
Others include d. Review the award and execution of contracts from May 2015 to May 2023 and ascertain if they were in conformity with extant laws; e. To review employments, promotions, appointments, and payments in respect of the employments, appointments, and termination of the employments and appointments from May 2015 to May 2023 and to ascertain if they were in conformity with extant laws; and f. To investigate any other matter incidental or related to the foregoing Terms of Reference and make recommendations to the Government based on their findings.
The five-member Panel, which has not been given a specific timeline to submit its report, is headed by retired Justice Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe. Also listed on the Panel are former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Professor Ogwo Ekeoma Ogwo; Professor of Mathematics at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa; Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and Rev. Fr Barrister Alex Okonkwo.
