The Chairman of Abia State Judicial Panel on Recovery of Government Property and Funds, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe (Rtd), has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Mr Umezuruike Ikenna Kingsley, General Manager of South East Farms and Agro Processing Co. Ltd.
This action was taken due to Umezuruike’s alleged failure to appear before the panel to give evidence despite a notice served on him.
Justice Duruoha-Igwe stated that the bench warrant was issued following Umezuruike’s non-response to the notice dated 22/3/2024.
The panel chairman directed that the general manager should be arrested and adjourned the matter to 3/5/2024.
Furthermore, Justice Duruoha-Igwe directed the general manager of Abia State Estate Development Agency, Mr Kelechi Nduaguibe, and former Deputy Governor of the state, Acho Nwakanma, to appear before the panel to give evidence.
The panel also considered a memo served on the Permanent Secretary of Abia State Ministry of Works, Mr Izuchukwu Onwughara. During cross-examination, Onwughara alleged that the former administration in the state did not involve the Ministry of Works in any direct labor road projects.
Onwughara, represented during the cross-examination, stated that the neglect of resident engineers working in the Ministry of Works by the previous administration rendered them irrelevant until the current government took office.
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