The Chairman of the Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Government Properties and Funds, Justice Florence Doruoha-Igwe (Rtd), has issued a bench warrant for the immediate former Accountant General of Abia State, Mr Kelechi Imeoria.
The bench warrant stems from his alleged failure to appear before the panel and his failure to present a black Toyota Jeep reportedly left to him by the previous governor.
The Toyota Jeep was said to have been bequeathed to Imeoria by the immediate past governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, through the protocol unit at government house in Umuahia.
Before adjourning the case until 9/2/2024, Justice Doruoha-Igwe ruled that Mr Imeoria be arrested and produced alongside the car for inspection by the Panel.
According to Justice Duruoha-Igwe, neither Mr Imeoria nor his attorney, Mrs Esther Wosu, provided a justification or an exemption letter stating that they would be unable to attend before the Panel.
Mr Imeoria’s last appearance before the Panel was on January 26, 2024.
The Abia State Judicial Panel also heard petitions submitted by some teachers at Abia State University Uturu Secondary School regarding their erroneous salary placement and claimed suspension from responsibilities without payment by Abia State University management.
The instructors filed a petition alleging that Abia State University was selling or leasing the ABSU International Secondary School to private investors, notwithstanding its original status as a public institute.
They asked the Panel to intervene in the situation.