Judicial Panel Orders Sealing of PDP Secretariat Belonging to Abia Govt

The chairman of the Abia State judicial panel of inquiry on the recovery of government property and funds, Justice Florence Doruoha-Igwe (retd), has issued an order to temporarily seal off Plot 43 Finbars Road Umuahia. This action was taken pending the conclusion of the investigation on the structure.

The structure, believed to house the PDP’s secretariat, was sealed by personnel from the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA) on Wednesday. Justice Doruoha-Igwe explained during the panel’s sitting that the structure actually belongs to the Abia State government.

As a result, she directed the senior lead counsel to the panel, H. N. Doruoha, to serve notice on the Abia State chairman of PDP, Alwell Asiforo Okere, and the immediate past Commissioner for Lands, Chidi Onwuchuruba, to appear before the panel on February 16 to provide further details on the PDP structure.

During the panel’s proceedings, the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Benson Ojeikere, and some former permanent secretaries in the state appeared to respond to the ongoing investigation of their tenure in office. Ojeikere alleged that upon assuming office, he discovered improper accounting records, undocumented government projects and activities, and unauthorized bequeathing of official vehicles to government appointees, all done without due process.

Additionally, former permanent secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mba Okereke, stated that as a permanent secretary, he was not responsible for revenue collection or project implementation.

Former Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs Uzoamaka Uche Ikonne, also addressed the panel, denying any involvement in employment racketeering or lopsided employment during her tenure.