The Chairperson of the Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of government properties and funds, Justice Florence Doruoha-Igwe (Rtd), has issued a bench warrant for the immediate arrest of the former Accountant-General of Abia State, Mr. Kelechi Imeoria.
The panel, tasked with the responsibility of recovering government assets and funds, disclosed that the bench warrant was issued against the ex-accountant general due to his failure to present a black Toyota jeep allegedly given to him by the former governor.
The Toyota Jeep, purportedly granted to Imeoria by the previous governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, through the government house’s protocol unit in Umuahia, has become the subject of investigation.
Justice Doruoha-Igwe, before adjourning the proceedings to February 9, directed the arrest of Mr. Imeoria and the production of the mentioned vehicle for inspection by the panel.
Justice Duruoha-Igwe emphasized that neither Mr. Imeoria nor his counsel, Mrs. Esther Wosu, provided any valid reason or exemption letter for their non-appearance before the panel.
It is worth noting that Mr. Imeoria’s last appearance before the panel was on January 26, 2024. In a similar case, the panel had previously issued a bench warrant for Anthony Agbazuere’s failure to appear and testify regarding a Toyota Hilux Land Cruiser allegedly in his possession since leaving office.
