By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Chairman of Abia State Judicial Panel of inquiry on the recovery of government properties and funds, Justice Florence Doruoha-Igwe (Rtd), has issued a bench warrant on the immediate past Accountant General of the State, Mr Kelechi Imeoria.

The bench warrant is over his alleged failure to appear before the panel and his failure to produce a black Toyota Jeep allegedly bequeathed to him by the immediate past government of Dr. Okexie Ikpeazu.

The Toyota Jeep was alleged to have been bequeathed to Imeoria by the immediate past governor, Okezie Ikpeazu through the protocol unit, government house, Umuahia.

Justice Doruoha-Igwe before adjourning the matter to 9 Fabruary, 2024, directed that Mr Imeoria should be arrested and produced alongside the said vehicle for the Panel to inspect.

According to Justice Duruoha-Igwe, there was no reason or exemption letter from Mr Imeoria or his counsel, Mrs Esther Wosu, stating that they would not be able to appear before the Panel.

It would be recalled that the last appearance of Mr Imeoria before the Panel was on 26/1/2024.

The Abia State Judicial Panel also entertained petitions filed by some teachers working at the Abia State University Uturu Secondary School, over their improper salary placement and their alleged suspension from duties without payment, by the management of Abia State University.

In the petition, the teachers also alleged that the Abia State University Management was offering the ABSU International Secondary School for sale or lease to private investors contrary to its original status as a public institute.

They prayed the Panel to intervene on the matter.

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