Abia speaker called for a thorough investigation into miss-used of Paris club.
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By Benjamin Kalu, Umuahia
The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedum Orji has called for the thorough investigation into the miss- used of Abia Paris Club Refund.
He made this known last Monday during a plenary session after a petition from Ndukwe Iheanyi Chambers, of an allegation by the former Commissioner of Finance, Mr Obinna Oriaku was read, before the members, by the member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency, Hon Emeka Okoroafor.
The petition revealed that billions of naira were disbursed to a consultancy firm of which some consultancy firms are in disagreement over the authentic firm that rendered a service to the Abia State Government.
The Ndukwe Iheanyi Chambers prayed that the Abia State House of Assembly should investigates the authenticity of the allegation raised by the former Commissioner and how much was paid by the Abia State Government over the issue between 2011 to 2014.
He stated that the allegation was hefty and constituted an Adhoc committee to investigate the allegations and revert to the House with its reports in a week.
The committee includes;
Hon Barr, Emeka Okoroafor { Chairman }
Hon Chijioke Chukwu
Hon Obinna Ichita
Hon Abraham Oba
Rev Emeka Otumchere { Secretary }
Read Obinna Oriaku’s allegation below;
MY ORDEAL AT THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION. PARIS CLUB REFUND SAGA.( Enugu zonal office)
Obinna oriaku
Two different consultants Murizwalton Nig Ltd and Ziplon Nigeria Ltd were appointed between 2011 and 2014 by past administration for purposes of recovery and reconciliation of our Paris club refund figures and subsequent payment by the federal government.
Understanding the fraudulent duplication of consultants by then government and attendant high percentage of all 20% and 30% respectively totaling 50% agreed before the coming of Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration, We felt it was evil to keep to such agreement hence we jettisoned such agreements and did not follow up on their payment .
Last week I got a letter through the Abia State Secretary to the state government to appear at Efcc office, Enugu on 10th of June with my predecessor Dr Philip Nto, who also has many questions to answer.
I asked the SSG Bar Chris Ezem to reschedule the invitation for another day as I was out of town(attached is our whatsap chart) he said.
Its unfortunate that an official letter was handed over to a media aide ,who wrote yesterday referenceing Efcc official numbers that I was being held back at Enugu Efcc for mismanagement of Paris refund even as the person I was invited together with is yet to make himself available.
I want to make it clear that Efcc invitation is not a crime and cannot be misconstrued as sentence for crime.
As Commissioner for Finance for four years, its necessary that I will be invited from time to time to shed light on what happened why i served as commissioner.
Kindly note that Obinna Oriaku at any point is willing and ready to render account of his stewardship as Commissioner of finance 2015 to 2019 and EFCC search light is welcome if that will help change the narrative of Abia state.
The invitation which included the current accountant general of Abia State Mr Kelechi Imeoria
was basically centred on why duplication of consultants for Paris refund, and to clarify who is the actual consultant and why the payments were not made at the agreed fees of 20% and 30% to the consultants.
This is sequel to a petition by Dr Murice Walton to Efcc how the State has deliberately held back their payment since 2017.
Abia was adjudged the best in management and disbursement of Paris fund by the Governors forum and the Deputy Governor Rt.Hon Ude Okochukwu was on hand to receive the award presented by the forum.He made presentation on what and how we administered the Paris fund stating that, the secret of our success(Vanguard newspapers of March 21 2016 carried that news.
On receipt of the Paris refund which the Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu referred as ( indocide). I suggested to the Governor that all the union leaders will form a committee to disburse this money specifically for salary and pension arrears. The comrade Obi Igwe, were among the committee members, that were set up.
