Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has given reasons why he decided to set up a judicial panel of inquiry to recover allegedly stolen government property from people who served in the previous administration.
Otti recently set up a panel charged with recovering the property in the state.
Justice Florence Ikwuoma Duruoha-Igwe of the State High Court Umuahia was named the chairman of the panel.
Other members of the panel are Prof Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, Mazi Ugochukwu Okoroafor and Rev Fr Alex Okonkwo and Prof Ogwo Ekeoma Ogwo.
However, in a tweet via his Twitter handle on Wednesday morning, Otti said he decided to set up a panel to recover the state’s assets because of large-scale allegations of misuse and misappropriation of public resources by former government officials.
Otti tweeted, “Honored to inaugurate the Judicial Panel focused on the recovery of Abia State’s assets.
“Ordinarily, the desire of this administration would have been to focus on the business of governance and the delivery of the dividend of democracy without resorting to any form of inquiry into past deeds.
“However, in response to large-scale allegations of misuse and misappropriation of public resources by former officials. A very hostile handover with many assets inaccessible and operations starting from ground zero. Emphasizes the need for inquiry and accountability, as advocated by our citizens.”
