From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia Judicial Panel of inquiry on the recovery of Government Property and Funds has recovered two vehicles and some other items from former office holders in the state.
The vehicles recovered were a Lexus Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) in lieu of a Hyundai Coaster Bus, and a Toyota Hilux Van.
Other items recovered by the Panel were a 100 KVA Generator and a Gee Pee water Tank.
While the Hyundai Coaster bus was recovered from the retired Permanent Secretary, Government House Umuahia, Mr Alozie Odoemelam, the Lexus SUV was recovered from Mr Kelechi Imeoria, immediate past Accountant General of the state.
Odoemelam told the Panel that he bought the 100KVA as scrap while the Hyundai Coaster Bus was one of the Vehicles placed for auction sales at Government House.
He added he has paid the sum of N320,000 out of the N520,000 total amount of the auction sales of the items, into Government coffers.
Countering him, lead counsel to the Panel, H. N Doruoha said available information to the panel has it that the 100KVA Odoemelam alleged he bought as scrap at the price of N100,000 from Government House was in good condition.
However, counsel to the respondent, Obioma Chibuzor said his client has given sufficient evidence before the panel that he bought the vehicle at auction sales and the Generator Set as scrap at which he made the payment into Government coffers.
In the case of the Lexus SUV, Mr Imeoria said his Principal gave him the vehicle as a terminal benefit when he represented the State as a member of a Non Ministerial Steering Committee on Economy Advisory Project in the federation during the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Ruling, Chairman of the Panel, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.) said there was no substantial evidence or proof that Mr Odoemelam bought the vehicle at auction price nor the Generator set as scrap as he claimed.
Justice Duruoha-Igwe ordered that the recovered items should be kept at the Panels premises pending further investigations.
The Panel equally ordered the immediate sealing of an Oil Processing Mill under the custody of Mr John Chigbu of Umunkoro Umuomghinta- Mbawsi in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, pending further inquiry by the panel.
Meanwhile, Justice Duruoha-Igwe (rtd.) has directed the Director of Finance, Government House Umuahia, Mr Ubani Udo to provide evidence of payment and documents relating to the sum of N8m paid to a former Special Adviser to the Immediate Past Governor on Women Affairs, Beauty Odikwa for the Construction of Warehouse and cool room at the office of Vicar Hope Foundation, Umuahia.
In the main time, the panel cross examined a former Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Eric Acho Nwakanma who owns Great Nobles Integrated Limited, which is managing the Ndi Oji and Amaeke Abam Rubber Plantations located in Arochukwu Local Government Area.
The Panel also cross examined a former Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, John Nwamgborogwu over two vehicles in his possession, as well as some retired permanent secretaries in the state.