Panel orders the unsealing of PDP secretariat in Abia State

Judge Florence Doruoha-Igwe Rtd, the chairman of the Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Government Properties and Funds, has directed that the property located at No. 43 Finbars Road in Umuahia, which was sealed off by the Panel’s order, be unsealed on February 19 and 20, 2024.

During the Panel’s meeting in Umuahia, the Chairman stated that the building’s unsealing was done to allow the second respondent, Alibia PDP, to enter the premises and present the lease agreement between the party and Mr. Michael Okey Nzeakor before the Panel.

Judge Duruoha-Igwe Rtd advised Abia PDP to use the two days to obtain all the required documentation for the Panel before postponing the matter to 21/2/2024 for an indefinite hearing. She further stated that no further justifications would be accepted.

Regarding the alleged involvement of Chidi Onwuchuruba, the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Housing in Abia State, in the aforementioned matter, Justice Duruoha-Igwe (Rtd) noted that Onwuchuruba, the third respondent, is unfamiliar with the transactions between Abia PDP and Mr. Michael Okey Nzeakor, and as such, ordered that his name be struck out.

Recall that on July 2, 2024, the Panel issued an order temporarily closing the Abia State PDP secretariat, which is situated at 43 Finbars Road in Umuahia.

In the meantime, Mr. Benson Ojekere, the Permanent Secretary of Government House, and Prof. Monica Ironkwe, the Commissioner for Agriculture, also spoke before the panel.

Speaking before the Panel, Ironkwe was represented by the Ministry’s Director of Agriculture, Mr. Obilor Promise. He revealed that the Ministry, which was under her supervision, had retrieved all farm plantations and other agriculture sub-stations that had supposedly been leased to private parties in the State by the previous administration, and that they had also terminated their contracts with the Ministry.

Author

Wale Ponnle

A passionate writer of everything politics in Nigeria with the goal and purpose of bringing authentic information and unbiased news to everyone everywhere.

View all posts