Lawmaker, Obinna Ichita alleges plot by Abia Govt to use judiciary member to stop him from exercise oversight duties
By Chijindu Emeruwa
The Member representing Aba south constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Obinna Ichita, has alarmed on the alleged move by Abia state government to use a member of the State judiciary to stop him from exercising his constitutional duty of oversight, regretting that the planned move is absurdity that has never been recorded anywhere in the federation, only in Abia State.
Ichita stated that this became necessary for the public, especially, indigent constituents and residents of Aba south state constituency be informed of the true state of affairs pertaining to the libelous charges preferred against him by the government in his official capacity as member of parliament and in his personal capacity asked for accountability.
Recall that Abia State Government through the Commissioner for Youth Development, Charles Onyedikachi Eseonu and the State Coordinator, Nigeria Erosion Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), Mr Izuchukwu Onwughara, had asked a high court in Umuahia, to stop Obinna Ichita from asking the state government to explain how the present administration spent over 56 million US dollars received by the government from the World Bank for construction works in Aba south constituency where the lawmaker represents in the Abia Assembly.
Reacting on its part, the Abia Government had in the lawsuit against the state legislator, denied ever receiving 56 million US dollars from World Bank for construction works in Aba.
The Government also denied receiving N800 million US dollars meant to be shared to the citizens under the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) of the World Bank, and therefore, asked the court to order Ichita, to desist from criticizing about deplorable condition of Infrastructures in Aba south constituency of Abia state.
But Obinna Ichita, who doubled as respondent in the lawsuit, while disclosing on the state of affairs with regard with the two cases against him, which contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Umuahia, the Abia capital, said that he had filed all the processes, including his statement of defence alongside with list of witnesses, alleging that state government and her agents and lawyers have refused to come to court for the continuation of hearing in the matter.
He further regretted that the matter was scheduled to come up on Friday 11th March, 2022, and was shifted to 1st of April, before Honorable Justice Benson Anya-led high Court of Umuahia Judicial division, for continuation of the case.
“We are actively monitoring the World Bank projects in Aba South, as well as the movement of funds for these projects, hence, we shall continue to apply pressure on the state government to ensure that World Bank projects in Aba South Constituency do don’t suffer the fate of Faulks road”, Ichita added.
His statement partly read, “In our response to the suit , we pleaded justification and told the court that indeed Abia State government received money from the World Bank for construction works on Uratta road, Obohia road, Ohanku road, Port Harcourt road and Ngwa road.
“We have also filled to the court, the evidence of the 800 Million US dollars from theWorld Bank that should be shared to the citizens under the CCT initiative. We have even forwarded our list of witnesses to the courts, which include senior personnel of the Debt Management Office (DMO) of the Federal Government, senior officers of the federal ministries and agencies that documented the loan process and management staff of the bank that received the 56.4 million US dollars that world bank payed for the road projects in Aba.
“Since we filled our statement of defence alongside our list of witnesses, Abia State government, their agents and their lawyers have refused to come to court. The matter was supposed to come have come up on Friday 11 March 2022. The new date is 1st April 2022, before Hon. Justice Benson Anya.
“In my view, the claim of spending over 1 billion naira ( almost 2 million US dollars) per kilometer on a dry land in Aba is not only questionable but also a clear demonstration of an exceptional level of insult on the collective intelligence of the people.
“Remember that no one knows the whereabouts of around 26 million US dollars that have been withdrawn for the purchase of a Tunnel Boring Machine, which machine has not been seen anywhere in Aba South nor the money refunded.
