- Exposes How N10bn Airport Fund was Allegedly Diverted To Private 32 Accounts
- Ikpeazu: Otti is a liar, all the facts exonerate my Govt
By Abiola Olawale
Despite repeated denials by former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of any wrongdoing on how funds of Abia state were spent, the state government under the administration of Governor Alex Otti has released a detailed forensic audit report of the administration of his predecessor.
The 360-page report was released by the Commissioner of Information, Prince Okey Kanu, during the post State Executive Council meeting press briefing in the late hours of Monday.
A perusal of the document compiled by a renowned global auditing firm, Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG), shows various financial transactions and alleged infractions by the immediate-past administration in the state.
Speaking on the report, Kanu said the audit report fingered the administration of Ikpeazu on how they authorized the release of N10 billion from the state coffers to build Abia Airport and later allegedly instructed the contractor to wire the funds into 32 different accounts.
He also disclosed that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) has started inviting those indicted by the forensic audit report which the state government conducted through an international audit firm, KPMG.
He stated: “The EFCC has started inviting those indicted by KPMG.
“The audit is not directed on anybody, however, those involved have the opportunity to defend themselves.”
Before releasing the report Monday, Otti had maintained that his decision to probe the administration of his predecessor was by informed by the provisions of the constitution and also told the indigenes of the state about the facts as to what truly transpired in the eight years of Ikpeazu.
Otti said he was not interested in any verbal war and that Mr Ikpeazu must either return the funds or show where the airport was located in Abia State.
“What is important to our Government is that somebody is showing us the airport or returning our money. That’s what is important to us. We are not interested in the fireworks and all the abuse. We are not even interested in anybody going to jail except if they are telling us that somebody whose money is missing should not look for it. Where I come from, if your property is missing, you have to look for it,” he said.
Reacting to the allegations, Ikpeazu through John Kalu, his former information commissioner, had said after the funds for the construction of the airport was approved, traditional rulers requested that the project be suspended and the fund redeployed for road construction.
He said: “You may wish to recall that during the period, the country was still struggling to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with very low FAAC and IGR inflows across the states.
“Shortly after we announced Exco’s approval of the airport project, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu received in audience executives of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council then led by HRM Eze Joseph Nwabekee.
“On the 13th of November 2020, Okezie Ikpeazu informed members of the State Executive Council about the details of his meeting with representatives of the traditional rulers in Abia State, who requested that we suspend the airport project and commit the funds earmarked for it to do more roads in the state, as we are surrounded by airports already but need to urgently improve internal roads that would give a further boost to the socio-economic activities of the state.
“The exco members thereafter voted to approve the suspension and request to use the earmarked funds for road projects in the state.”
