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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Government Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government has vowed to exercise all it’s powers which include summoning anybody in Nigeria in a bid to discharge it’s duties.
Chairman of the Panel, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.) who made the vow during the Panel’s inaugural sitting in Umuahia, appealed to members of the public to come forward with petitions and memoranda to assist the panel perform accordingly.
Justice Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.) said the panel though quasi judicial, was not a court and would work with petitions and memoranda supplied to it by members of the public and afterwards give proper advice and recommendations to the Governor.
She disabused the minds of those who believed the Panel was set up to witch-hunt anybody, assuring that members of the Panel would not carry on their assignment as if they have already targeted and branded anybody as guilty.
She said the panel’s sittings would be public and would be taking place between Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna said Abia has witnessed a lot of looting, adding that it was only by addressing the issue, the State would begin to make progress.
He called on the public to be bold to provide necessary information to enable the panel succeed and thanked the members for accepting to do the job.
The Chairman of the panel had earlier performed the swearing-in ceremony of the newly nominated member of the panel, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, who replaced a former member.
Justice Duru-Oha Igwe later adjourned sitting till Tuesday next week.
