Abia Lawmakers Begin Investigation Into Alleged N200m Fraud In Ikpeazu Govt

The chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts, Anti-Corruption and Due Process of the Abia State House of Assembly, Jerry Uzosike, on Friday disclosed that the house had commenced investigations into the alleged diversion of N200 million Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) fund.

The Abia State House of Assembly had earlier received a petition from the Foundation For Environmental Rights Advocacy And Development, FENRAD, which alleged that the N200 million meant for SME Microfinance Bank establishment in the 17 local government areas of the state was no where to be found.

Speaking while declaring the investigation open, Hon Uzosike said the petition contained weighty allegations and the state lawmakers were determined to get to the end of the matter.

The committee chairman urged all parties involved to give accurate account of what happened to the fund.

Speaking to the committee on the petition, the Commissioner for SME, Mr. Onyema Wachukwu, declined involvement in the alleged fraud, saying he was not a member of the committee charged with the responsibilities of establishing the SME microfinance banks in the state.

The Commissioner further submitted that no document of the project was handed over to him when he came into office, but was only invited to the commissioning ceremony two days before the ceremony.

Reacting to the submission of the commissioner, the committee chairman wondered how a project could be carried out under a ministry without the knowledge of the commissioner.

He asked the commissioner to furnish the committee with the letter of invitation he claimed to have received for the commissioning of the bank.

Others invited to speak from the ministry include the permanent secretary and the director of finance.

Many political appointees of the government were also invited.