Assets recovery: Abia judicial panel of inquiry strikes out two cases

The Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Government Properties and Funds, led by Justice Florence Duroha-lgwe (rtd), has struck out a case filed by Solo Akuma marked JP-REC/3/2023.

The case was Solo Akuma versus Uche Ihediwa, a former Commissioner for Lands and Mr. Okey Nwagbara, a former Surveyor General of Abia State, where the former was challenging the revocation of a parcel of land situated at plot C 2 Mbaisi in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.

The petitioner in the case, alleged that the revocation of the plot was done by the administration of Okezie Ikpeazu, immediate past Governor of Abia State.

Deciding on the matter, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe, ruled that the matter is still at the Abia State High Court in Umuahia, pointing out that it was inappropriate for the panel to continue with hearing on the petition, whose subject matter and parties are the same and the suit before still going on at the State High Court.

Justice Duroha-Igwe, however, said that the Panel of Inquiry would investigate all the dealings on the said allocation and revocation of the land at plot C 2 Mbaisi Layout in Obingwa, assuring informing the parties appropriate recommendation would be communicated to the appropriate authorities concerning the panel ‘s investigations.

In a related development, the the Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry Panel also struck out petition No. JP-REC/16/2023 and JP-Rec/17/2023 filed by Chijioke Nwosu versus Chief Registrar High Court Umuahia, Chief Registrar Customary Court of Appeal Umuahia, Judicial Service Commission Umuahia, Accountant General of Abia State and Internal Auditor, Customary Court of Appeal Umuahia, on the grounds of death of the petitioner.

After striking out the two matters, the panel adjourned sitting to next Wednesday.