Panel orders temporary unsealing of Abia PDP Secretariat

By Christiana Ekpa

The Chairman of Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of government properties and funds, Justice Florence Doruoha-Igwe Rtd has ordered that the property located at No. 43 Finbars road in Umuahia which was sealed off by the order of the Panel, be unsealed from 19th to 20th February 2024.
The Chairman said this during the Panel’s sitting in Umuahia, saying that the unsealing of the building was to enable the 2nd respondent (Abia PDP) to have access to the facility and produce before the panel, the lease agreement between the party and Mr Michael Okey Nzeakor.
Justice Duruoha-Igwe Rtd before adjourning the matter to 21/2/2024 for indefinite hearing on the matter, advised Abia PDP to use the two days period to get all the necessary documents required by the Panel, adding that no further excuses would be entertained.
On the alleged involvement of the immediate past Abia State Commissioner for lands and Housing, Chidi Onwuchuruba on the said matter, Justice Duruoha-Igwe (Rtd) observed that the 3rd respondent (Chidi Onwuchuruba) is a stranger on the transactions between Abia PDP and Mr Michael Okey Nzeakor and therefore ordered that his name be struck out.
It would be recalled that the Panel had on 7/2/2024 temporarily ordered the sealing of the Abia State PDP secretariat located at No 43 Finbars Road Umuahia.
Meanwhile the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof Monica Ironkwe and the Permanent Secretary Government House, Mr Benson Ojekere also appeared before the panel.
Speaking before the Panel, Ironkwe, represented by the Director of Agriculture in the ministry, Mr Obilor Promise, disclosed that the Ministry under her watch had recovered all farm plantations and other Agriculture sub-stations allegedly leased out to individuals by the past administration in the State, as well as revoked their acclaimed contracts with the Ministry