The Abia State chapter of All Progressive Congress, APC has called on the leadership of the Abia State House Of Assembly led by Speaker, Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji not to interfere in the ongoing probe in the utilization of Paris Club Refund.
Recall that there has been a legal action concerning how the N22, 000, 000, 000 (twenty two billion Naira) Abia Paris Refund was utilized. A case which involved the former Abia Finance commissioner, Mr. Obinna Oriaku and other financial management firms.
According to reports, the case is ongoing in the court, while the State House of Assembly has set up a committee allegedly chaired by the Speaker to look into it.
However, the main opposition party in the state, APC has said they won’t entertain any legislative rascality in the case.
The party also urged Hon. Orji led Abia Assembly to allow competent court to do the needful.
In a statement signed by Comrade Benedict Godson, Abia APC Publicity Secretary, the party said;
“The committee set up by the House to investigate the N22b case already ongoing in court with whatever excuse that it was brought to them by a lawyer or a law firm is unacceptable and a sign of desperation.”
According to APC, “How can a House led by a Speaker who is purely involved in the case convince a sane person that their purported move to ascertain the validity or otherwise of the allegations raised by Mr. Obinna Oriaku, a former Commissioner for Finance is in the interest of Justice?
The party however, said; “Our stand is simple, Abia House of Assembly is not a court of competent jurisdiction. It is a legislative arm of government, its Speaker is directly or indirectly involved in the case.”
“We don’t want to dwell on the baseless argument that the Speaker is not the person to chair the investigation committee. All we are saying is that the House of Assembly should not try to interfere in a case that is already in court for whatever reason.
“Therefore let them stay off the case and should continue with their legislative duties. Let them allow the court handle the matter, as it has appeared in court as an ongoing case.
“The following suit numbers are all in relation to the case:
(1) FCT/HC/CV/2470/2017
Mauritz walton Nig Ltd v. a.Abia State
b.Ziplon concept.
(2) FCT/CV/0175/2017
Ziplon concept Ltd v. a.Government of Abia State
b.AG of Abia state
C.hon.min.of finance
D. Mauritz Walton (party seeking for joinder).
(3) FHC/ABJ/CS/323/2020
1.Ziplon concept
2. Abia State Government
V.
1.Federal Government of Nigeria
2.AGF of Federation
3.Fed min.of finance
4.Accountant General of Federation
5.Mauritz Walton( party seeking to join).
“Therefore, the best thing Abia State House of Assembly should and must honourably do is to allow the court to do its job and not to claim to investigate issues that are already in court.
