By CHRIS NJOKU, Owerri

The Public Accounts Committee set up by Imo House of Assembly said Tuesday that the immediate past governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha cannot stop the House from carrying out its over sight functions including investigating allegation of missing N19.63 billion local government fund.

Speaking to newsmen in his office at the Assembly Complex, Owerri, the Chairman of the committee, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri representing Oru East state constituency said that Ihedioha going to court would not stop the process from continuing.

He said that the committee functions were backed by the constitution and the rules of the state, adding that it was legally constituted and must run out its course.

“We have the legal right to look into the dealings of both the local government and the state.

He explained that the committee which was set up during the immediate past administration was not bias but was trying to ensure that the audit report submitted by the auditor general was not targeted at anybody.

“We are working on the document Auditor General of the local government submitted to us. We are doing the fact finding to make sure that the auditor general is not just trying to witch -hunt anybody.”

According to him the committee has completed 50 per cent of its findings, adding that after verifying the report, it would send it back to the EFCC.

Other committee members present include Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West), Arthor Egwim(Ideato North) and Dominic Ezerioha (Oru West). (The Nation)