The Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of government property and funds in Abia State has taken possession of a Toyota Hilux vehicle from Sam Nwogu, the former Chairman of the Abia State Oil Producing Communities Development Commission (ASOPADEC).
Mr. Nwogu initially claimed the vehicle was a gift from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). However, during cross-examination, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe, the panel chairwoman, presented evidence indicating the car was previously used by the head of ASOPADEC’s Works Department, Mr. Gberemakor Chukwuemeka.
Justice Duruoha-Igwe further stated that the panel’s efforts to confirm the NDDC’s alleged bequeathal of the vehicle to Mr. Nwogu were unsuccessful. Additionally, Mr. Nwogu failed to comply with a previous notice to present the vehicle for inspection.
The panel chairwoman directed the vehicle to be parked at the panel’s premises. Lead Counsel for the panel, H. N. Doruoha, emphasized Mr. Nwogu’s non-compliance with the panel’s directive to produce the vehicle for inspection.
Mr. Nwogu’s lawyer, A. S. Amaramiro, argued that the vehicle was not allocated by the Abia State government but by the NDDC.
