The Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of government properties, funds and other related matters, chaired by Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe (rtd), has submitted its interim report to Governor Alex Otti.
The panel, which was tasked with investigating the illegal acquisition of government properties and funds, presented its findings and recommendations on Friday, to Governor Otti in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
Governor Otti, while receiving the report, acknowledged the complexity of the panel’s task, and further extended their timeframe to allow for the completion of its duties as well as address areas not yet covered.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing the panel’s recommendations, assuring that no recommendation would be disregarded.
He added that his administration has the courage to take the necessary actions to prevent future abuses of the system.
“I can assure that we are going to take this report very very seriously and we are going to implement it to the later.
“I want to reassure you that none of your recommendations will be swept under the carpet“, Otti said.
The Governor lauded the panel for its dedication and courage in performing its duty diligently despite various challenges it encountered.
He noted that some individuals who appeared before the panel had already started complying with the directives given to them by the panel
with some returning properties acquired illegally.
“Someone came here to return documents of a property somewhere that he acquired illegitimately and he said he didn’t want our trouble we should just take.
“So I also use this opportunity that illegitimately acquired what did not belong to them still have the opportunity to return them before we come after them”, he warned.
In her speech, Chairman of the panel, Justice Duruoha-Igwe, said the panel received a total of 350 petitions and memoranda from across the state adding that petitions were served to all affected persons while the proofs of service were documented.
She said the report of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry contains three parts findings and recommendations, processing, including interviews and oral evidence, and a locus report detailing visits across the state to assess various government properties.
“For months, we toured the state, visiting various Loci to see things for ourselves and ascertain the extent of the distortion of the Master Plan, road work/contract done or left undone, encroachment of school lands and other government lands/offices.
“We were mindful of the fact that history and the people of Abia State will judge us harshly if we fail in this onerous task.
“I wish to assure you that we did our best in this regard not caring whose ox was gored“, Duruoha-Igwe said.
She therefore urged Governor Otti to take the findings seriously and ensure that the necessary actions are taken to address the issues raised in the report.
