The last has not been heard about allegations of fraud leveled against the immediate-past governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Ikpeazu. The former two-term governor is being accused of diverting the money meant for the construction of Abia State Airport.
According to a statement reportedly credited to the incumbent Abia State governor, His Excellency, Alex C. Otti, “Ferotex Construction Company said that when the former Abia State governor approached them for the construction of an airport, they informed him that they had never built an airport before and expressed concerns about their capability to handle the project.
However, he insisted that they should proceed with the construction of the Abia State Airport.
Subsequently, when the initial payment of N10 billion was made into their account, they were given 32 accounts and instructed (them) to transfer the funds meant for the airport project to these 32 different bank accounts”.
The following transactions have allegedly been tracked to the underlisted bank accounts:
- On 5 January 2016 the account A BBQBSG EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT with account number 1014381352, experienced a debit transaction of the sum of N200,000,000, in favour of TUNNEL END INV CO LTD. A director in the company, by the name Dame Gladys Nnenwafor is the wife of a former deputy governor of the state
2. On 13 January 2016 the account ABSG EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT with account number 1014381352, experienced a debit transaction of the sum of N176,000,000, in favour of TUNNEL END INV CO LTD. A director in the company, by the name Dame Gladys Nnenwafor is the wife of a former deputy governor of the state
3. On 15 January 2016 the account ABSG EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT with account number 1014381352, experienced a debit transaction of the sum of N68,767,600, in favour of AUTONATION NIGERIA LIMITED. A director in the company, by the name Ugochukwu Kennedy Nsofor was arrested by NDLEA for drug trafficking
4. On 26 January 2016 the account ABSG EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT with account number 1014381352, experienced a debit transaction of the sum of N100,000,000, in favour of TUNNEL END INV CO LTD. A director in the company, by the name Dame Gladys Nnenwafor is the wife of a former deputy governor of the state
5. On 27 January 2016 the account ABSG EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT with account number 1014381352, experienced a debit transaction of N250,000,000, N25,000,000 totalling N275,000,000in favour of TUNNEL END INV CO LTD. A director in the company, by the name Dame Gladys Nnenwafor is the wife of a former deputy governor of the state.
6. On 1/5/2016, the sum of N130,000,000.00 was paid to BASINGSTOKE INVESTMENT LTD from the ABSG EXCESS CRUDE ACCOUNT 1014381352 domiciled with Zenith BANK. The company belongs to Obinna Araraume who is the second son of Senator Araraume. Funds diversion is suspected.
7. On 18th November, 2016, ABIA STATE PROJECTS ACCOUNT with A/C 2014210497, the sum of N30,000,000.00 was transferred to one FEROTEX CONSTUCTION COMPANY whose owner is the Chairman of Rangers International Football club popularly known as Enugu Ranger, Chief Festus Oshaba Onuh.
8. On 31st March, 2016, ABIA STATE PROJECTS ACCOUNT with A/C 2014210497, the sum of N17,600,000.00 was transferred to one FEROTEX CONSTUCTION COMPANY whose owner is the Chairman of Rangers International Football club popularly known as Enugu Ranger, Chief Festus Oshaba Onuh.
9. On 27th September, 2016, ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT/LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT ALLOCATION ACCOUNT with A/C 2019589321, the sum of N5,000,000.00 was transferred to one Alwell Okere who is the Former Speaker Abia House of Assembly and emerged as the Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
10. On 8th March 2016, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT with A/C 2023850699 experienced a Fund Transfer of N10,000,000.00 with a description ‘GOODWILL COMM’ who seem to be unknown.
11. On 8th August 2016, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT with A/C 2023850699 experienced a Fund transfer of N10,000,000.00 with a description ‘GOODWILL COMM’. The company is unknown.
12. On 8 March 2016 the account OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT with account number 2023850699, experienced a debit transaction of the sum of N10,000,000, in favour of one GOODWILL COMM. The company does not exist.
13. On 28 October 2016 the account ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT/LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOINT ALLOCATION ACCOUNT with account number 2019589321, experienced a debit transaction of the sum of N18,000,000, in favour of SUN-LINK MAC NI. SUN-LINK MAC NI is not incorporated in the Corporate Affairs Commission.
14. On 8 March 2016 the account OFFICE OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT with account number 2023850699, experienced a debit transaction of the sum of N10,000,000, in favour of one GOODWILL COMM. The company does not exist.