……… to investigate activities of Hon Obinna Oriaku as Commissioner for finance 2015 to 2019.

The Abia State House of Assembly today set up a committee to look into the alleged 22 billion naira Paris club refund consultancy fee allegations made by Hon Obinna Oriaku on social media, and his activities during the period he served as Commissioner for finance Abia state, 2015 to 2019.

In a petition written by Barr. Ndukwe Iheanyi Chambers tittled “petition on Paris fund refund and urgent need to investigate the allegation raised by one Obinna Oriaku, a former Commissioner for finance”.

The petitioner charged the House to investigate the alleged award of contract to two consultants and mismanagement of fund.

They also urged the House to investigate the engagement procedure of the consultancy firms by the government, review the publication trending on social media by Obinna Oriaku to ascertain the validity or otherwise of the allegations and also investigate the activities of Obinna Oriaku as commissioner for finance between 2015 to 2019 with particular attention to his involvement in the Paris club refund.

On reading the petition before the House by the Chairman House Committee on judiciary and public petition, Hon Emeka Okoroafor who is also the member representing Isuikwuato State Constituency, the Speaker Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji set up a five(5) man committee headed by Hon Emeka Okoroafor who doubles as Chairman House Committee on public petition, and other members of the committee which include Hon Chijioke Nwachukwu(Bende North), Hon Obinna Ichita(Aba South), Hon Abraham Obah(Aba Central), while Rev Emeka Otumchere Deputy clerk of the house will serve as the secretary of the committee.

The committee has seven days to submit it’s report.

In a related story, the House today also passed the “Audit bill 2021” into law.