Paris Club Refunds: You Can’t Investigate A Case You’re Involved In, APC Tells Abia Speaker

The opposition party APC in Abia state has urged Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rit. Hon. Chinedum Orji to stop interfering with the ongoing case about how the Paris Club Refund amounting to N22bn due to the state was spent.

The party while alleging that the Speaker is involved in the matter said the recent adhoc committee set up by the Assembly to investigate the matter currently in the court amounts to judicial rascality.

The party in a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary Comrade Benedict Godson and made available to ABN TV called on the Assembly not to disrespect the judiciary by continuing in the investigation under the excuse that it was brought before it by a private citizen.

The statement partly read, “We wish to use this medium to ask Abia State of Assembly led by Rit. Hon. Chinedum Orji to avoid any form of legislative rascality and a disrespect for the judiciary in the on going case concerning how Abia Paris Refund was utilized.

“The committee set up by the House to investigate the N22b case already ongoing in court with whatever excuse that it was brought to them by a lawyer or a law firm is unacceptable and a sign of desperation.

“How can a House led by a Speaker who is purely involved in the case convince a sane person that their purported move to ascertain the validity or otherwise of the allegations raised by Mr. Obinna Oriaku, a former Commissioner for Finance is in the interest of Justice?

“Our stand is simple, Abia House of Assembly is not a court of competent jurisdiction. It is a legislative arm of government, its Speaker is directly or indirectly involved in the case.

“We don’t want to dwell on the baseless argument that the Speaker is not the person to chair the investigation committee. All we are saying is that the House of Assembly should not try to interfere in a case that is already in court for whatever reason.

“Therefore let them stay off the case and should continue with their legislative duties. Let them allow the court handle the matter, as it has appeared in court as an ongoing case.”

The party listed details of ongoing cases in connection with the said Paris Club Refund to include,

(1) FCT/HC/CV/2470/2017
Mauritz walton Nig Ltd v. a.Abia State
b.Ziplon concept.

(2) FCT/CV/0175/2017
Ziplon concept Ltd v. a.Government of Abia State
b.AG of Abia state
C.hon.min.of finance
D. Mauritz Walton (party seeking for joinder).

(3) FHC/ABJ/CS/323/2020
1.Ziplon concept
2. Abia State Government
V.
1.Federal Government of Nigeria
2.AGF of Federation
3.Fed min.of finance
4.Accountant General of Federation
5.Mauritz Walton( party seeking to join).

It therefore appealed to the Assembly to focus of its job of legislation and allow the court do its job.