Abia APC Warns State Assembly Against Probing Paris Club Refund

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abia State has called on the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chinedum Orji, whose father, Theodore Orji, has been linked to the alleged misappropriation of Paris Club Refund while he was governor, not to interfare in the case as the matter was already in court.

The APC gave the advice after the state house of assembly set up a committee to probe the allegation linking father of the speaker to misuse of the Paris Club refund.

The alleged misappropriation of the Paris Club Refund is currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had last month invited and interrogated a former Commissioner of Finance, Mr.Obinna Oriaku, who made revelations about the refund.

Oriaku who served as commissioner during the first tenure of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, revealed that ex-Abia governor, Theodore Orji’s government received the sum of N8.2 billion Paris Club Refund during his tenure without any record to show how the money was utilized.

He also revealed that the administration allegedly imposed two consultants on the current Ikpeazu-led government who charge and collect 30 and 20 percent consultancy fees respectively.

The APC in a release by its Publicity Secretary, Benedict Godson on Tuesday, in Umuahia, advised the leadership of the assembly against interference.

The APC urged the state lawmakers to allow the court do its job and not claim to investigate issues that are already in court.

The party stated that “We wish to use this medium to ask Abia State of Assembly led by Rit. Hon. Chinedum Orji to avoid any form of legislative rascality and a disrespect for the judiciary in the ongoing case concerning how Abia Paris Refund was utilized.

“The committee set up by the House to investigate the N22b case already ongoing in court with whatever excuse that it was brought to them by a lawyer or a law firm is unacceptable and a sign of desperation”.