By Suleiman Anyalewechi
As debates and exchange of all manners of brickbats stoked by the shocking revelation made by the Governor of Abia state, Dr Alex Oti, concerning the alleged payments of N107 billion to some unknown persons and for non-existent projects by the immediate past administration in the state continue to rage, a non- State actor has demanded for the release of all relevant information about the said audit report from the Abia state Government.
In what appears to be the first bold move to make public details of the Forensic audit , the Citizens Complaints Centre ,of the Reform and Public Advocacy, has formally applied for its release ,under the Freedom of Information Act
The Source reports that Governor Otti, had on Friday April19, 2024 ,while delivering a lecture at the John Hopkins University ,in the United States of America ,USA, informed the global audience that his administration has unearthed gory details about how the immediate past Government of Dr Victor Okezie Ikpeazu frittered N107 billion on 72 nebulous contractors ,as well as payments of N10 billion for a non existent Abia state Airport.
He noted that the shocking transactions were discovered by a Forensic audit firm, which was engaged to examine the financial books of the State, from 2015 to 2023 .
However, since the revelation, the political landscape of Abia state has been awash with strident and vociferous calls on the Abia State authorities to make public details of the said audit report.
Many others have insisted that the only way frayed nerves could be assuaged is for Abians to be availed of the details of the report, and if found to be true, practicals steps taken by the State Government to recover the said amount .
The Centre For Reform and Advocacy in a letter entitled” Application For Access To Records Under The Sections 1 and 3 Of The Freedom Of Information Act ” dated April 23, 2024,and signed by a member of its Board of Trustees and senior member of the Aba NBA, Bar.Ukpai Ukairo ,demanded from the Abia state Government details of the said Audit Report within 7 days from the date of its letter .
” We respectfully apply for access to the following records to wit.
1) A copy of the Forensic Report which Governor Alex Otti,the Executive Governor of Abia State referred to and relied upon in his Town Hall meeting in the United States of America to allege that his Excellency,former Governor Victor Okezie Ikpeazu,s administration paid billions of Naira for an Airport,and to unnamed contractors.
2) The letter of appointment of the Audit Firm that carried out the Forensic Audit as required under public procurement Act .
3) The vouchers showing the payments made to the Audit Firm for professional services.
4) The extract of the minutes of the Executive Council meeting adopting the said Forensic Report.
Please permit us to remind you that you have seven days ,under the Freedom of Information Act to release the above records ” the letter reads.
