A judicial panel in Nigeria’s Abia State is seeking answers about a scholarship program that sent students to study law in India. Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe, the panel’s chairman, questioned the rationale behind the previous administration’s decision to sponsor these students, given the differences between the Nigerian and Indian legal systems. During a recent hearing, Justice Duruoha-Igwe expressed concerns that there was no proper documentation or oversight in place for the scholarship scheme, which also included students sent to Australia.
The panel’s inquiry is part of a broader effort to recover government properties and funds, and Justice Duruoha-Igwe’s questions highlight the need for transparency and accountability in the use of public resources. She noted that the Nigerian legal system is distinct from India’s, which raises questions about the relevance of the scholarships to the students’ future careers in Nigeria. Furthermore, Justice Duruoha-Igwe emphasized the importance of having a well-constituted Scholarship Board to oversee such schemes and ensure that they serve the best interests of the students and the state.
In addition to seeking clarification on the scholarship program, the panel is also working to ensure that Abia State students are aware of and can benefit from the Federal government’s interest-free loan program, known as NELFUND. This initiative aims to support students in tertiary institutions, and Justice Duruoha-Igwe called for proper sensitization to enable Abia students to take advantage of this opportunity.
In a related development, the panel has ordered the former General Manager of the Abia State Water and Sewage Corporation, Leo Ogbonna, to return a Toyota Hilux vehicle that is allegedly in his possession. Justice Duruoha-Igwe directed Ogbonna to return the vehicle to the panel’s premises, as part of the ongoing efforts to recover government properties and funds. The panel’s actions demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, and its inquiries are likely to have significant implications for the state’s governance and administration.
