Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has vowed to publish the report of the forensic audit of the administration of his predecessor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, in which N10 billion appropriated for Abia State airport project was allegedly diverted.
The Governor explained that the purpose of the audit is in the interest of the State and gave an assurance that at the end of the day, the State either recovers the money or have the airport. Governor Otti said, “the immediate past governor, Dr Ikpeazu’s denial is not surprising.
The past governor’s administration did not deny but said they diverted the money.” He said during the Covid-19 lockdown a certain debit went to Abia account, adding that from the records a letter was written requesting appropriation of N10 billion for which an FPO was written.
The governor disclosed that the purported company to be handling the airport project denied involvement, saying the money was never paid to them because they do not handle such projects “but the past administration asked the contractor to move the money elsewhere.” “He moved the money in 32 tranches to different companies,” Governor Otti said,
“the rest of the work will be done by security agents. Our concern is that the money is returned or they show us an airport.”
