Abia Assembly Constitutes investigation Committee (Read What Was Discussed During Plenary)

A Law Firm; Ndukwe Iheanyi & Co has called on the leadership and members of the Abia State House of Assembly to immediately began investigation into the weighty allegation made by a former Commissioner of Finance in the state, Mr. Obinna Oriaku on the Paris Club Refund.

Recall that the former Finance Commissioner, Oriaku had after honouring an Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) invitation to its Southeast zonal Headquarters in Enugu made some shocking revelations which has since generated controversies in the social media and public space.

The member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency, Hon. Emeka Okoroafor who read out the petition during the Monday, June 28^th Plenary while the House called for petitions, stated that Ndukwe Iheanyi & Co were calling for investigation into allegations surrounding the engagement of consultancy firms for the management of the Paris Refund between 2011-2014.

According to the Law firm,” they were informed that a former Commissioner for Finance in the State, Mr Obinna Oriaku, took to social media to explain his involvement in the transactions and further complicated the matter by raising issues that several consultant firms are at loggerheads over who is the authentic consultancy firm engaged by Abia State Government.

“Ndukwe Iheanyi Law firm prayed that the Abia State House of Assembly ascertain the validity or otherwise of the allegations raised by Obinna Oriaku, and also investigate the charges by the consultancy firm engaged by the Abia State Government for the management of the Paris Club  Refund as it concerns the State.

“The Law firm further requested that the House investigate how much was paid to the consultancy firm by Abia State Government for services rendered with regards to the Refund in the years in contention, 2011 – 2014.

The Speaker Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji who noted that the allegations raised by the former commissioner were heavy and will be investigated thoroughly by the House of Assembly, announced the setting up of an ad-hoc committee to investigate the allegations and revert back to the House with its reports in one week.

The members of the committee is as follows

Hon Barr Emeka Okoroafor (Isuikwuato, APC), was announced as the Chairman while other Members are Hon Chijioke Chukwu (Bende North, APC), Hon Obinna Ichita (Aba South, APGA), Hon Abraham Oba (Aba Central, APGA), Rev Emeka Otumchere is to serve as Secretary.

Hon Emeka Okoroafor also read out another petition from RC Udeme Law firm concerning a complaint against the wrongful and unlawful termination of Mrs Nwachukwu Ifeoma Lucy’s appointment with Abia State University, Uturu on the allegation of fraud.

Abia State House of Assembly Plenary for Monday, 28th June, 2021.

Welcome to another Legislative Day in the Abia State House of Assembly.

The Speaker, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji led Principal Officers of the House into the Hallowed Chambers.

Hon Paul Taribo, Deputy Majority Leader, Member representing Ukwa East State Constituency, led the opening prayer.

The Abia State House of Assembly commenced plenary after the adoption of Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 16th June, 2021.

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Speaker announced that the officials of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company will appear before the Honourable House on the 5th of July, 2021 by 10am prompt.

PETITIONS

Hon Emeka Okoroafor, Member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency, read out a petition from a Law firm, Ndukwe Iheanyi & Co, bordering on Paris Club Refund to Abia State and the urgent need to investigate allegations surrounding the engagement of consultancy firms for the management of the Fund.

According to the Law firm, they were informed that a former Commissioner for Finance in the State, Mr Obinna Oriaku, took to social media to explain his involvement in the transactions and further complicated the matter by raising issues that several consultant firms are at loggerheads over who is the authentic consultancy firm engaged by Abia State Government.

Ndukwe Iheanyi Law firm prayed that the Abia State House of Assembly ascertain the validity or otherwise of the allegations raised by Obinna Oriaku, and also investigate the charges by the consultancy firm engaged by the Abia State Government for the management of the Paris Club  Refund as it concerns the State.

The Law firm further requested that the House investigate how much was paid to the consultancy firm by Abia State Government for services rendered with regards to the Refund in the years in contention, 2011 – 2014.

RESOLUTION

The Speaker said the allegations raised by the former commissioner are heavy and will be investigated thoroughly.

The Speaker announced the setting up of an ad-hoc committee to investigate the allegations  and revert back to the House with its reports in one week.

Hon Barr Emeka Okoroafor (Isuikwuato, APC), was announced as the Chairman while other Members are

Hon Chijioke Chukwu (Bende North, APC), 

Hon Obinna Ichita (Aba South, APGA), Hon Abraham Oba (Aba Central, APGA).

Rev Emeka Otumchere is to serve as Secretary.

Hon Emeka Okoroafor read out another petition from RC Udeme Law firm concerning a complaint against the wrongful and unlawful termination of Mrs Nwachukwu Ifeoma Lucy’s appointment with Abia State University, Uturu on the allegation of fraud.

RESOLUTION

The Speaker committed the petition to the House Committee on Petition. He charged the committee to make its findings and report back to the House as soon as they conclude on the matter.

MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

Hon Obinna Ichita, member representing Aba South State Constituency, brought up a Matter of Urgent Public Importance to the House about the excavation of refuse along Port Harcourt Road in Aba. He said the situation if not checked will lead to a pandemic and lives will be lost.

He prayed the House to mandate the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) to move with immediate effect to see that this heaps of earth and refuse are evacuated to protect the lives of Abians in his constituency.

RESOLUTION

After contributions from Rt Hon Ifeanyi Uchendu, Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu, Hon Ginger Onwusibe, Hon Chukwu Chijioke, Hon Abraham Oba and Hon Aaron Uzodike, the Speaker urged the various committees set up by the Governor with the primary responsibilities of evacuating and keeping the State clean to put every machinery in motion to make sure the State is kept clean.

PERSONAL EXPLANATION

Hon Kelechi Onuzuruike, Member representing Umuahia North State Constituency, in his Personal Explanation thanked the Governor for procuring two roll on-out trucks for the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency. He said the Governor intervened to the cries of the Agency which clearly shows he is passionate about the well-being of Abians. He went further to commend the General Manager of ASEPA, Eze Okwulehie and urged him to continue with the wonderful job he is doing.

Responding, the Speaker thanked Hon Onuzuruike for his proper oversight functions. He commended the Governor for putting in place positive measures to keep the State clean.

On his own part, Hon Chukwu Chijioke, the Minority Leader of the House in his Personal Explanation, commended the Speaker for his sincerity in the way he has managed the affairs of the House irrespective of party affiliations. He thanked the Speaker for standing for fairness, and also thanked his predecessor as Minority Leader, Hon Abraham Oba, for his mature disposition in making sure there was no rancour among them even when challenges crept in.

Responding, the Speaker congratulated Hon Chijioke Chukwu on his new role as Minority Leader of the House and, advised him to always engage constructively and not destructively.

NOTICE OF PRESENTATION OF BILL

H.A.B. 42: The Abia State Judiciary Funds Management Bill, 2021

(A Bill for a Law to Establish Guidelines for the Management of the Funds of the Abia State Judiciary), sponsored by Hon Solomon Akpulonu, the Majority Leader and Member representing Obingwa East State Constituency.

In a motion moved by the Majority Leader and seconded by the Minority Leader, H.A.B. 42 passed the First Reading.

In a motion moved by the Majority Leader and seconded by the Minority Leader, the Order paper was slightly amended to accomodate the Second Reading of H.A.B.42.

ORDER OF THE DAY

H.A.B. 41: Abia State Audit Bill, 2021

(A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Appointment of the State Auditor-General and the Auditor-General for Local Governments in Abia State), sponsored by the Majority Leader, Hon Solomon Akpulonu.

After explanations from the sponsor of H.A.B 41 , Hon Solomon Akpulonu about the importance of the Bill, the Bill was committed to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative drills.

In a motion moved by the Majority Leader and seconded by the Minority Leader, the House dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider H.A.B. 41: The Abia State Audit Bill, 2021.

After consideration of the Bill in the Committee of the Whole, and in a motion moved by the Majority Leader and seconded by the Minority Leader, the House reverted back to full plenary.

Reporting what transpired at the Committee of the Whole, the Speaker said, “After having passed through the necessary legislative processes, we can comfortably delete the word “Bill” and insert the word “Law” into it.

“Honorable Colleagues, this Law might be cited as ‘The Abia State Audit Law’ and shall come into force this Day, 28th of June, 2021”.

Subsequently, H.A.B. 41: The Abia State Audit Bill, 2021 was passed into Law.

H.A.B. 36: The Abia State Watershed Management, Agency Bill, 2020

(A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment, Operations and Functions of the Abia State Watershed Management Agency).

Continuation of the Consideration of H.A.B. 39: A Bill for a Law to Establish Guidelines for the Management of Funds of the Abia State House of Assembly.

Consideration of H.A.B. 40: A Bill for a Law to Establish the Abia State Accounts Allocation Committee (ABSAAC).

Consideration of H.A.B. 6: A Bill to Establish the Abia State Consumer Protection Agency.

Consideration of H.A.B. 23: A Bill for a Law to Establish the Abia State Commission for the Welfare of Disabled Persons were all deferred to be considered on another Legislative Day.

ADJOURNMENT

Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Majority Leader of the House, moved that plenary be adjourned to another Legislative Day.

The Minority Leader, Hon Chijioke Chukwu seconded the motion.

Plenary was therefore adjourned to Tuesday, 29th June, 2021.

Courtesy: Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly.