The Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State government, yesterday, held its inaugural sitting, urging members of the public to forward their petitions and memoranda to assist the panel execute its assignment.

An Abuja high court had, last month, through an ex-parte order, reportedly restrained the panel from sitting. But Chairman of the panel, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe (rtd), denied that the panel was served any court order.

She said that thåe panel, which was inaugurated in June 2023 by Governor Alex Ottil, is not a court and would work with petitions and memoranda supplied to it, giving proper advice and recommendations to the governor.  Duruoha-Igwe listed the panel’s terms of reference, which include to receive and examine complaints and memoranda from individuals and other entities on looting or conversion of government property, funds and related matters and, wheåre necessary, make recommendations to the government for remedial measures or any other measure as appropriate.

It is also to examine and ascertain whether government’s moveable or immoveable assets and funds have been illegally acquired or occupied or converted to private use, as well as identify the person who is responsible and further make recommendations for recovering and appropriate sanctions.

She said that the panel was also mandated to ascertain the extent of allocations and revocations of lands in the state from May 2015 to May 2023 and determine the propriety of such allocation or revocation or otherwise.   Other responsibilities are to review the award and execution of contracts from May 2015 to May 2023 and ascertain if they were in conformity with extant laws, and investigate any other matter incidental or related to the foregoing terms of reference and make recommendations to the state government.

Justice Duruoha-Igwe further disclosed that the panel, which was given 90 days to execute its assignment, shall exercise its powers, which include summoning anybody in Nigeria, in discharging its duties. She also promised that the panel would not carry on as if the persons summoned were already targeted or considered guilty.

She noted that the panel’s sittings, which would run from Tuesdays to Thursdays, would be open to the public.