The Abia State Governor Alex Otti has inaugurated a judicial panel with the aim of recovering State assets.
Otti said this was in response to large-scale allegations of misuse and misappropriation of public resources by former State officials.
Speaking on Wednesday via Twitter, Otti said “Ordinarily, the desire of this administration would have been to focus on the business of governance and delivering the dividends of democracy, without resorting to any form of inquiry into past deeds.”
However, a very hostile handover with many assets inaccessible and operations starting from ground zero necessitated the constitution of the panel.
He further disclosed that public lands and institutions, including schools were not spared from conversion to private use, thus emphasizing the need for inquiry and accountability, as advocated by Abia citizens.
The constituted panel has been tasked to investigate complaints of government property misuse and recommend remedial actions; identify illegal acquisition/conversion of State assets and suggest recovery methods; analyze land allocation/revocation from May 2015-2023, judging their appropriateness; review contract awards from May 2015-2023 for legality; and investigate other matters incidental or related to the above, making further recommendations.
“We anticipate a swift operation from the panel, and encourage public support for the recovery of our shared wealth. With your excellent records, we trust you will help rebuild Abia State.
“To current officials, let this be a reminder of accountability: Your actions today will be judged tomorrow.
“May God bless Abia State,” Otti concluded.
Amaka E. Nliam
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