The Panel of Inquiry for the Recovery of Government Property and Funds in Abia’s task shall not be carried out in a witch hunt fashion.
Its chair, retired Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe, provided the assurance on Tuesday in Umuahia.
At the panel’s first meeting, she declared, “The panel will carry out its duty faithfully and impartially.”
She claimed that between May 2015 and 2023, some officials are believed to have stolen government resources, including money and property, and converted them for their own use.
She continued by saying that the panel would use all of the authority granted by the Abia State of Nigeria Laws of 2005 in order to acquire evidence for its proceedings.
Imo Police Declares Small Witch WANTED
“Ours is not an inquisition and we shall not carry on as if we have already targeted and branded anyone as guilty.
“We are hopeful that we shall enjoy the maximum cooperation of the petitioners, counsel, witnesses and the public. This will make for a speedy disposal of matters brought before us.
“We also pray to God to help us to make the right recommendations,’’ Justice Duruoha-Igwe said.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Umuahia Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Jasper Ejimofor, commended government for setting up the panel of inquiry.
He, however, called for the backdating of the period of reference to begin from May 2003 as against May 2015 which was given to the panel.
He noted that the looting of government property and funds was highly unacceptable and expressed optimism that the panel would live up to expectation.
Also addressing the panel, the Attorney-General of Abia, Mr Ikechukwu Uwanna, charged it to discharge its duty creditably and promptly.
“I call on members of the public to be bold and to be courageous in supporting the panel with whatever its needs to do this job creditably.
“We will focus on addressing the ills that happened between 2015 and 2023 and with the outcome, we will consider extending the inquiry to the preceding administration if need be,’’ Uwanna said.
Gov. Alex Otti inaugurated the panel on June 26 to probe his predecessor administration.
Follow us on facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.