Progressive Abia Youths Against Corruption (PAYAC)
164 Azikiwe Road Aba
10/09/17

PRESS RELEASE
Who is shielding former Speaker Martins Azubuike from Corruption Trial?

We the members of Progressive Abia Youths Against Corruption (PAYAC) wish to draw the attention of the members of the public and anti-corruption agencies to the continuing silence of the principal officers of the Abia State House of
Assembly and apparent cover up of the massive corruption perpetrated by the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr Martins Azubuike.

We have in our possession evidence of the looting of over N400,000,000 from the House Capital Projects Account number 1011412558 with Zenith Bank Plc Umuahia.

While Mr Azubuike was removed as Speaker of the House in December 2016 for the looting of the funds, we find it strange that since then no further action has been taken against him by the Principal Officers of the House and the members who seem satisfied with his mere removal from the office of Speaker of the House and replacement by Rt Honorable Chikwendu Kalu.

Our group have in our possession evidence of massive cash withdrawals from the capital projects account by then Speaker Azubuike, ostensibly meant for the construction of the new office complex of the House.

Documents available to us confirm that the Executive arm of the State Government funded the new office complex 100% and hence there is no basis for funds in the capital account of the house to be withdrawn for same purposes.

We hereby give the Abia State House of Assembly a 14 day ultimatum, starting from 10th of September 2017, to investigate this brazen looting of over N400,000,000 belonging to Abia tax payers or we will be compelled to publish the evidence in our possession as well as forward same to EFCC and ICPC for full investigation and prosecution of the former Speaker.

We also wish to call on the people of Isiala Ngwa North state constituency to immediately commence the recall of Martins Azubuike from the House of Assembly for not only disgracing them but also failing to do anything tangible at his constituency.

Signed
Okwu Anyiam
President, PAYAC

Michael Isiguzo
Secretary General, PAYAC

Cc: Executive Governor of Abia State
Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu
Media Houses
EFCC
ICPC