News

Perspective – Abia Forensic Audit: How we spent N10bn Airport fund- Ikpeazu

Published

2 years ago

May 7, 2024

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…..Tells Otti to stop diverting attention from the Abia Q1 report’s show of reckless spending ….

Immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has warned his successor, Dr. Alex Otti, to focus on governance and stop deceiving the people with lies and fiction.

Ikpeazu, who spoke against the background of a report that his government awarded a N10 billion contract for the construction of an airport in Abia without doing same, insisted that Otti was on clout chasing and deceiving gulliable people with the alleged forensic report he conducted on Abia Finances.

Rather, Ikpeazu said that Otti was diverting attention from the quarterly reports of Abia State, which showed that his government has been reckless with funds.

Ikpeazu said: “Accounting for the N10billion, no dime was diverted. Otti is diverting attention from his own Quaterly report which captured him spending N3billion on research and nonexistent projects. Why is it that he is using the same Ferrotex contractor, who he accused of receiving N10billion from us for major contracts today? What stopped him or his auditors from asking Ferrotex for explanations? We have decided to respond to him with evidence of jobs done. The time of truth has come.”

Providing an insight into the spending of the money, a former Commissioner for Information under Ikpeazu, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, asked Otti to stop playing to the gallery and tell Abians the truth with documents at his disposal..

Okiyi-Kalu said that the alleged N10billion originally budgeted for the airport project was rechanneled into other projects, following the approval of the Executive council, after traditional rulers in the state told Ikpeazu to forget an airport project but focus on repairing major roads in the state. The traditional rulers had told Ikpeazu that the airports in Owerri and Uyo made an Abia airport project unviable.

Okiyi-Kalu, who later served as a Commissioner for Trade and Investment, said that it was shocking that after a demand was made for the publication of the much talked about audit, Otti and his media handlers rushed to a blogger to help them publish an indicting report against his former principal instead of the forensic audit report.

Okiyi-Kalu said that since Otti became the Governor of Abia State, Ferotex Construction Company has been awarded the Umuimo Road, Shalom Road and Umuode Road all in Aba.
“Currently, Ferotex Construction Company is equally handling 22.5 kilometres Isuikwuato-Abariba section of the 67.6 kilometres Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia Road, which is Otti’s biggest road project in Abia State.”

Okiyi-Kalu explained that the airport project issue first came to the Abia State Executive Council at a meeting on September 24, 2020.
He said that based on the presentation made to the Exco, they approved the project and also approved the borrowing of N10billion “from UBA Plc as an initial investment by the state with repayment charged to our FAAC account with the bank.

“You may wish to recall that during the period, the country was still struggling to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with very low FAAC and IGR inflows across the states,” he said.
Okiyi-Kalu said the current Secretary to State Government, who is an appointee of Otti, Prof Kenneth Kalu, can review and confirm his claim from Exco records in his custody.

“Shortly after we announced Exco’s approval of the airport project, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu received in audience executives of Abia State Traditional Rulers Council then led by HRM Eze Joseph Nwabekee.

“On the 13th of November 2020, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu informed members of the State Executive Council about the details of his meeting with representatives of the traditional rulers in Abia State, who requested that we suspend the airport project and commit the funds earmarked for it to do more roads in the state, as we are surrounded by airports already but need to urgently improve internal roads that would give a further boost to the socio-economic activities of the state. Exco thereafter voted to approve the suspension and request to use the earmarked funds for road projects in the state.”

He further said that on November 17, 2020, Governor Ikpeazu took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle to inform Abia Citizens that the airport project had been suspended.
Okiyi-Kalu said that Ikpeazu must have informed the then Commissioner for Works, Elder Bob Ogu, of his intention to suspend the Airport project in anticipation of Exco approval, hence the State Ministry of Works selected road projects in Abia 2020 budget for funding with the N10 billion and allocated resources to the contractors.
Okiyi-Kalu gave a detailed account of the roads and contractors that received the N10billion initially marked out for construction of an airport and listed about 18 projects that were done, in place of the airport.

According to his list: “China Zonghghao for Osisioma flyover Aba & ABSUTH Road Aba got N800,000,000. Trackcare Construction Company for Aba-Owerri road Aba (Brass to Osisioma junction segment, Ururuka road Aba, Afor Ibeji/ Ubakala Umuahia, Stella Marris Catholic Church, etc got N1,035,000,000.

“Ferrotex Construction Company for Aba-Owerri road (Railway junction-Brass junction segment) Aba, Obohia Road Aba, Opobo Junction-Ukpakiri Ogbor-Hill Aba, Uratta Ugwuati, Itungwa, Rehabilitation of failed Ururuka got N1,500,000,000.

“⁠Shannah Jardon Construction Company for Okigwe Road Aba, Milverton Road Aba, Cemetery-Eziukwu Road Aba got N450,000,000. Ecklean: Osusu road Aba-N 200 000,000, Cosmos Construction Company for Immaculate Avenue Umungasi Aba got N150,000,000 while Setraco/Hartland for Port Harcourt road got N1,000,000,000.”

Further details go thus, “⁠Rockwaters for Ohanku Road Aba, Okpu Umuobo Aba got N650,000,000, MOW for Ebenma Street Aba and Ovom street Aba got N1, 130,000,000. Zubbalco for MBUBO Umuakwu got N200,000,000.”

Other details show that Tunnel End Construction Company got N780,000,000 for the construction of Umuene-Obikabia, Umuojima-umuokiri- Ekeakpara, umuakatawom-Eziama-Ohanze while Paceo Carretera company got -N312,000,000 for the construction of Agalaba Ring road in Obingwa.

From the same details, it shows that ⁠Delhope Construction Company got N557,000,000 for the construction of Umuobiakwa-Owo road Obingwa, Federal Medical Centre internal road, Aba Road Umuahia (GG-shoprite).

It was also gathered that MOW construction got N325,000,000 for the construction of
Umuobiakwa internal roads, umuobiakwa (Gov) roads, Mbawsi internal roads and desilting of Aba big gutter while ⁠⁠BOK construction got -N100,000,000 for the construction of Agbama Ring road Umuahia.

“Crystalkleen Construction for York/Jubilee/Nicholas street Aba got N30,000,000, Pumeco Construction for Aba road (Uchenna/ShopRite) Umuahia, Zero portholes in Umuahia roads got N353, 000,000, while Yodel construction for Afrata road, Umuahia got N100,000,000.

“⁠E&P for Trinity College Road Umuahia got N60,000,000 and Obitex Development Company Ltd for construction of Ohuhu road from Isiokata, diversion from the gully erosion at isiokata to Umuawa Ohuhu to Nkwoegwu got N125,000,000.”

More details provided show that Smutedge Company got N200,000,000 for the rehabilitation of failed portions of Umuikaa-umuenne, Pacon Company got N12,000,000.00 for completion of drains at
Ozuomba/Ohazu road.

“MOW company for Zero pot holes(Aba) got N 100,000,000, Charbel Company for Government house got 400,000,00 and the State Ministry of Public Utilities got N100,000,000 for Streetlights.”
He, however, explained that the list containing the tranche payments was not exhaustive as those were the only ones in his personal Exco note that he kept during meetings.
He said that it is also true that other tranche payments were made from other sources, stressing that the Ministry of Works led by Elder Bob Ogu and the Ministry of Finance led by Dr Aham Uko back then, should be able to supply a more comprehensive list to what he was saying.
Okiyi-Kalu further revealed that Ferotex Construction Company, as one of the reputable indigenous construction companies with anti-graft agencies’ clearance was selected by the Ikpeazu administration as lead company in the “contractor financier” arrangements with UBA.
He said that the above-mentioned arrangement, the “contractor financier” arrangement was not alien within the public sector, alleging that a similar arrangement was entered into by the Otti’s government with Craneburg Construction Company for N50bn facility earmarked for “various roads”.
He explained that such lead companies are more or less consultants that would receive the bulk amount and pay other road contractors as banks would not likely agree to enter into multiple agreements with all the contractors.

He said that Otti’s claim that he got the top three audit firms in the world to do the forensic audit was untrue, as his top three audit firms have failed to follow the money as expected of any audit firm, even the least ones, adding that a serious audit investigation would simply seek to establish if the allocated funds got to the companies and also if the contractors did the work.
According to Kalu, “Those who claim that there was need for “virement” may be speaking out of ignorance in this case. The road projects were already in our approved 2020 budget, hence no need for further house approval.
“All state revenues are expected to be used to fund state budget and from the time we had approval to spend on the roads instead of Airport there is, no further need for legislative approval.”
“For the further education of those who verbalize terms they do not understand, “virement” is the process of transferring items from one financial account to another. In this case, the airport project and the road projects must both be in the 2020 budget before you can execute virement.

News

OMPAN presents Patron award plaque to Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu

Published

1 day ago

January 24, 2026

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By Editor, Umuahia

Members of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Abia State Chapter, on Friday handed over an award plaque to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu as a patron of the association.

The award according to the state chairman, Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro is in recognition of his unmatched support for the association over the years.

Presenting the plaque to him at his country home in Bende, the Abia State Chairman of OMPAN, said the Deputy Speaker was selected alongside ten other eminent Abia indigenes for their assistance to unveiled as patrons of the association due to their consistent contributions to the growth and progress of the union.

Chief Okoro recalled that the Deputy Speaker was formally unveiled as a Patron during the association’s 3rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on December 12, 2025, but was unavoidably absent at the event.

“You will recall that during our 3rd Annual General Meeting on December 12, 2025, we unveiled our Patrons, and the Deputy Speaker was among them, unfortunately, he was not available to attend the event, and that is why we are here today to formally present the plaque,” he said.

He further appreciated the Deputy Speaker for his instrumental role in ensuring that OMPAN Abia State now has a physical office, describing the gesture as a landmark achievement for the association.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of OMPAN, Mazi Ugochukwu Nwankwo, said that if there was a higher honour than the Patron award, the association would have gladly bestowed it on the Deputy Speaker, whom he described as the strongest supporter of OMPAN.

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu expressed gratitude to the association for finding him worthy of the honour.

He advised members to expand their blogging focus beyond politics to include economic development, humanity, and other sectors that positively impact society.

The Deputy Speaker commended OMPAN for recognizing the future of media by coming together under a unified online platform and assured the association of his continued support.

He also urged members to remain professional and non-partisan, cautioning them against allowing themselves to be used as tools to attack or undermine individuals or institutions.

News

My Successor in 2031 will be better than me”— Governor Otti

Published

7 days ago

January 18, 2026

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Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

eAbia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has said that, his successor in 2031 will be better than himself, adding he was laying a solid foundation for the development of the state.

Governor Otti stated this during the grande reception service organised in his honour by the Assemblies of God Church, Okaiuga – Nkwoegwu, Umuahia North LGA.

The governor said that he was just starting, and the time for the aggressive development of Abia State was then, adding that the curse that had held the State down has been broken.

“We have just started. We are not three years yet. So, you can imagine what will happen by the time we are done in 2031.

“So, you know there is a time and a season for everything. So, what we have started is the time for the aggressive development of Abia State.

“The news I have for Abia people is that we have broken that curse that held us down and whoever is going to succeed me will be better than me.

” So, when people think we are going to go back to them, they must be dreaming, we’ve moved,” Gov. Otti said.

Governor Otti said that, he believed in Psalms chapter 62 verse 11, which declared that, “God has spoken once, twice, have I heard this? That power belongs to God.

“So, you can do everything you want to do but, if it wasn’t God’s time, it will not work and when it’s God’s time, even if you are sleeping, God will wake you up,” he said.

.On their request for provision of a bus for evangelism and land for prayer camp, governor Otti confirmed to them that they would receive a hummer bus this week, courtesy of Prince, Dr. Arthur Eze, one of their guests.

He also directed the Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, to meet with the Church leadership and work out modalities for securing a land for them as requested.

The State Chief Executive, who appreciated Churches in the State for the support given to his administration, thanked Assemblies of God Church for the reception organised for him.

Earlier in his speech, the District Superintendent, Assemblies of God Church, Jerusalem District, Rev. Dr Kenneth Ogbudu described the reception ceremony as a significant moment of history, and appreciation.

He said that Dr Alex Otti is a transformational leader, whose emergence has redefined governance in Abia State. He noted that, many administrations have come and gone but Governor Otti’s tenure represents a clear and commendable departure from the past.

“For the first time in our State’s history, governance is driven by competence, transparency, accountability, visible impact, and more promises and verifiable results.

“Under your (Gov. Otti’s) leadership, Abia State has witnessed a bold and deliberate restoration of public infrastructure – roads abandoned for decades have been reconstructed and reopened, “Connecting communities, easing transportation, stimulating commerce, and restoring the dignity of both urban and rural environments” Rev. Ogbudu said.

Rev. Ogbudu went further to note that the renewal of critical road networks across Aba and beyond by Governor Otti has revived economic activities and repositioned Abia State as a credible destination for investment.

He also said that beyond infrastructure, the administration has introduced “a new culture of fiscal discipline and prudent resource management.

“”Salaries and pensions are now paid with regularity and respect, restoring hope and dignity to the workers and retirees who were once forgotten. “For the first time since the creation of Abia State, public funds are being managed with transparency, accountability and confidence.

“Your excellency has also demonstrated uncommon courage in institutional reforms, cleaning up public systems, strengthening governance structures, and insisting that public office must serve the people rather than personal interests,” Rev. Ogbudu maintained.

The servant of God used the opportunity to request the Governor to provide them with a Hummer bus to support evangelism and the allocation of land for a prayer village for the Church.

The wife of the Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, the member representing Ikwuano/ Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly and other members, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba Ph.D, Commissioner for Transport Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to the Governor, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir Chris Onwuegbu among others were present at the reception service.

News

Obsequies: Tributes pour in as Don Lulu lays late mother to rest

Published

2 weeks ago

January 10, 2026

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Tributes poured in on Saturday 10th January, 2026 as the family of Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, popularly known as Don Lulu, laid his beloved mother, Late Dame Peace Igbokwe, to rest.

The burial of the matriarch who kicked the bucket on October 24, 2025, at the age of 60 attracted the high and mighty of Abia politics, captains of industry, entertainers and friends and well wishers.

The funeral service was held at Wesley Cathedral Church, Umuwaya Road, Umuahia, where the Conference Secretary of the Methodist Church, Umuahia Archdiocese, His Grace, Dr. Babatunde Taiwo, delivered an uplifting homily.

In his sermon titled “Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled,” bishop Taiwo extolled the exceptional virtues of the late Dame Peace Igbokwe, describing her as a woman of substance, courage, and valor.

He consoled the bereaved family, urging them not to be overwhelmed by grief but to find peace in the assurance that their mother was in a better place.

The cleric emphasized the fragility of the human heart, warning against excessive worries and stress, which he said could lead to heart-related illnesses.

He encouraged individuals to make their health a priority, saying that proper care of the body could lead to long life.

“This body can take us to 95 years and beyond if we do not burden it with unnecessary cares, worries, and problems,” Bishop Taiwo cautioned.

He also encouraged Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, the first son of the deceased, to remain strong and ready to assume leadership responsibilities following the vacuum created by his mother’s passing.

In his remarks, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, sympathized with Mayor Igbokwe over the sudden loss of his mother at a time when she should have been enjoying the fruits of her labour.

The Governor noted that despite her relatively short stay on earth, Dame Peace lived a fulfilled life and raised children who have become outstanding men and women.“It is not the years in our life but the life in our years.

If you read her biography carefully, you will understand that she lived ahead of her time and left behind enduring legacies,” the Governor stated.

Governor Otti commended the Methodist Church for the orderly conduct of the funeral service and appreciated the people of Ohuhu for their massive turnout to bid the deceased farewell.

He concluded by praying that such a tragedy would not befall the Igbokwe family again.

In his tribute, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe described his late mother as a strong-willed and resilient woman who, despite losing her husband early in life, worked tirelessly to raise her children and instill strong moral values in them. He prayed for the peaceful repose of her soul.

The funeral ceremony attracted a distinguished gathering, including top government officials like the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, the Member Representing Ikwuano Umuahia Federal Constituency Hon. Obi Aguocha, Former Minister Dr Uche Ogah, Senator Darlington Nwokocha among others.