Tension has heightened in Enugu State over strong feelers that Governor Sullivan Chime has moved against the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Eugene Odo.

Chime ordered an audit of the accounts of the House as alleged reprisal for the rejection of his recent actions by the House, including the concession of the water corporation to a private company, attempt to obtain N11 billion loan, building of shopping mall near the House of Assembly complex and allocation of part of International Conference Centre (ICC) to private developers.

Similarly, the Governor also forwarded a letter to the House through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anthony Ani (SAN), warning the lawmakers that they have no power to freeze the account of any government agency.

The letter was prompted by a resolution passed by the House last week, freezing the accounts of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) in all commercial banks pending the conclusion of investigation into allegations of financial recklessness against the Chairman, Miss Nneka Onuora.

A principal officer of the House, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed to our correspondent on Thursday that the Auditor General has commenced the audit of the income and expenditure of the House. Our source said they also gathered that reliable sources that the Governor allegedlydoled out N2 million each to six lawmakers, including a suspended lawmaker, who he believes are still loyal to him.

The latest development has heightened tension in the State since last Tuesday, when the lawmakers passed a resolution, asking the Accountant General of the State, Pascal Okolie, to furnish the House with the information in writing on or before Monday, April 26 on the financial standing of the State since January including Internally Generated Revenue.

The lawmakers had earlier grilled the Accountant General over the non release of their overhead for the month of March.
The House had a week earlier issued the Commissioner of Police with a warrant to arrest the Attorney General AG and bring him to the House, but he voluntarily appeared in the House and apologised for his inability to honour three earlier invitations to appear.
Responding to questions from the lawmakers during an executive session, Okolie noted that release of funds has been going on well in Enugu State until the country came under cash squeeze caused by fall in oil prices.

“Enugu is not spared. Many states have not been able to pay salaries, but we have managed to be paying salaries. We have cash flow problems. We have tried in overhead. We have paid January and February to this House. Half of March was made available. We hope to pay the balance. My appeal is that this House be patient” he said.


Source: http://dailyindependentnig.com/2015/05/tension-enugu-chime-moves-speaker-orders-audit-assembly-accounts/

Hmmmmm