Abia State Governor Receives Judicial Panel Report, Denies Witch-Hunt Allegations
Governor Alex Otti has reiterated that the Judicial Panel of Inquiry, established to recover government properties, funds, and related matters, is not aimed at witch-hunting or scapegoating individuals. The governor made this statement on Tuesday at his Nvosi residence in Isialangwa South while receiving the final report from the panel, chaired by Hon. Justice Florence Duroha-Igwe (retd).
Otti emphasized the panel’s purpose was to uncover the truth due to the absence of a proper handover from the previous administration. “We just needed to know what happened. A lot of people had concerns, and those concerns needed to be investigated,” he said, assuring that the government would take the report seriously and ensure justice is served. “Our government is one that ensures the right thing is done. We will not lose anything by insisting that the right thing is done,” Otti added, pledging to address all issues raised in the report.
Presenting the report, Hon. Justice Duroha-Igwe revealed that the panel received 350 petitions and memoranda, concluding 278 cases in its initial phase. Following the governor’s directive, the panel addressed the remaining 72 petitions to ensure no Abian was left unheard. The report, submitted in two volumes—Addendum to the Main Report and Addendum to the Proceedings—marks the completion of the panel’s work.
The governor’s commitment to transparency and accountability underscores his administration’s resolve to uphold justice and good governance in Abia State.