Abia Airport Fund Controversy: Gov. Otti Demands Accountability, Vows Recovery of Missing N10bn

In a media parley held Thursday night, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, addressed the ongoing dispute surrounding the alleged misappropriation of N10 billion earmarked for an airport project during the tenure of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Governor Otti asserted that his primary concern is the recovery of the missing funds rather than pursuing punitive measures.

Otti revealed startling details about the transaction, alleging that the money was deposited into the account of a company without a bidding history for the airport project. Subsequently, the funds were transferred to 32 different accounts in multiple transactions, raising suspicions of graft and financial impropriety.

The incumbent governor pledged transparency by promising to release the full forensic audit report conducted by KPMG, a reputable audit firm. He emphasized the irrefutable evidence, including bank statements and official correspondences, implicating the previous administration in the diversion of funds.

Responding to allegations from Ikpeazu’s camp, Otti dismissed claims that the funds were diverted to road infrastructure projects, demanding concrete evidence to support such assertions.

He reiterated his administration’s stance: accountability and the retrieval of the missing funds or tangible progress on the airport project.

The controversy escalated as Ikpeazu’s former Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, denied any wrongdoing, attributing the allocation to infrastructure development projects. However, Otti remained resolute in his pursuit of accountability, signaling a potential legal recourse against those involved in the mismanagement of public funds.

The unfolding saga underscores the imperative of transparent governance and fiscal responsibility in Abia State, as Otti’s administration endeavors to address the lingering repercussions of alleged financial malfeasance.