The immediate past Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu says his attention has been drawn to what he called yet another very reckless statement made by the administration of Governor Alex Otti.
"In what has become a dangerous obsession, the Otti administration has become incurably unable to do anything without looking for any possible means to blame the Ikpeazu administration, even for things that make absolutely no sense", spokesman of the former Governor Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka said in a statement.
He said the latest ploy of this administration is to blame former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for their decision to sack several thousands of workers from the Abia State Civil Service.
In a statement credited to one Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Information in the Otti administration of Abia State, he attributed the decision of the Otti administration to sack these workers to Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu whom he accused of employing people "illegally".
According to the former Governor's Spokesperson, it is disturbing that someone who speaks for a state government is blatantly ignorant of the workings of government.
He said, "How can actions carried out by a sitting Governor in offering employment to teeming Abians be termed as illegal?
"The term illegality connotes some form of criminality. What is criminal about the decision of an incumbent Governor to offer employment to the people of the State, putting them on the payroll and paying them salary?
"According to the statement under review, Mr Kanu accused the Ikpeazu administration of "employing people through the back door and backdating employment letters given to them".
"This statement is ridiculous and preposterous. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
"The Ikpeazu administration had absolutely no reason to backdate any employment letter issued to any person employed in the State Civil Service. The reason is simple. Ikpeazu remained the Governor of Abia State till the midnight of 28th May, 2023, and by that token, all administrative actions he took within that period were covered with the robe of legality.
"Even speaking from a purely legal perspective, all actions taken by a sitting Governor enjoy the presumption of legality.
"One of the powers of a State Governor is the grant of waiver for employment to the people of the State. Dr Ikpeazu as Governor duly exercised this power for the benefit of teeming Abia youths and had absolutely no apologies to anyone for that action. One of the most important responsibilities of government is to provide employment opportunities to the citizens of the State. Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is proud to have taken that decision to create jobs for our people. If Governor Alex Otti has chosen to sack these workers who were duly employed, then he must accept full responsibility for that decision and not blame another person for his indiscretions. It is as simple as that.
"The point must be made that contrary to the falsehood contained in the statement made by the Commissioner, these people who have now been sacked by Otti were employed under clearly defined due process supervised by the State Civil Service Commission.
"There is not any single person employed into the State Civil Service whose employment did not go through the Civil Service Commission whose statutory responsibility it is to manage the process of employment into the State Civil Service. The records are there.
"Unknown to this Commissioner who appears to be totally ignorant of the workings of the Civil Service, the process of employment into the Civil Service takes quite some time and doesn't happen automatically.
"First, the state government under Ikpeazu introduced biometrics in the assessment of the actual number of workers in the State Civil Service and this revealed several valid vacancies which led to the commencement of the processes for filling them.
"Qualified Abians were offered employment into the Civil Service and were being maintained until this new administration came and sacked these workers, treating them as if they committed any offence by accepting employment from a sitting administration in the State.
"The simple truth is that Governor Alex Otti came into government with overflowing vendetta in his heart which he has exhibited without any inhibitions whatsoever. What of the Permanent Secretaries he sacked from office? Were they employed by Ikpeazu too?
"This is the first time in the history of our State and indeed anywhere in the country that a new administration came into office and sacked the entire Body of Permanent Secretaries together with the Head of Service, leaving only 2 Permanent Secretaries.
"Such arbitrary display of raw totalitarianism is strange to the public service where careers enjoy substantial stability. There are clear procedures to be followed in sacking a Civil Servant under the Civil Service Rules.
"These Permanent Secretaries were issued no queries, they had no subsisting displinary cases, they just woke up one morning and heard over the radio that they have been removed from office. These are men and women who have served the State all their working lives. They have reached the pinnacle of their careers only to be kicked out like common casual workers. Was that Ikpeazu's fault too?
"Meanwhile, Otti brought the current Accountant General of the State from an Insurance Company in Lagos, ignored all known rules of public service and made her Accountant General. When it became clear to him that he had committed a massive blunder, he quickly granted waiver for her to be employed as a Level 16 Civil Servant without going through the Civil Service Commission. This is the height of hypocrisy!
"One other distinctive feature of the Civil Service is respect for Seniority. When Otti removed the State Head of Service from office together with the Permanent Secretaries, he ignored all known rules of seniority and took a Deputy Director in the Ministry of Education and named her Head of Service, bypassing all serving Directors in the State Civil Service.
"Funny enough, the lady who is now Head of Service became a Deputy Director in the Service by virtue of the Command Promotion given by the TA Orji administration in the State, which Dr Ikpeazu upheld upon assumption of office as Governor. But Otti came in and nullified command promotions given to Abia workers by the Ikpeazu administration.
"Otti's penchant for sacking of workers should not come as a surprise to any close watcher of his professional life.
"Otti spent his entire working life as a banker. The modus operandi of banks are well known. They are set up primarily to make profit and do not, by any stretch of the imagination, run on the principle of welfarism which governments stand for.
"Once banks are under any form of financial pressures, the first casualty is always the worker. Laying off, sacking, downsizing and rightsizing of the work force is synonymous with banks and their overzealous capitalist tendencies.
"This is exactly the mindset Otti came into governance with. Sack workers and keep the wage bill manageable. Simple!
"Within the first 100 days of his administration, Otti has sacked close to 10,000 workers across various strata of the State workforce.
"Perhaps, the most disturbing aspect is that they declare human beings who come to work every day as Ghost workers!
"These people have come out in the open to complain and cry, yet in the books of Otti and his administration, they are ghost workers, simply because they could not be captured by the contractors they brought from Lagos with their strange technology!
"A good case in point is the case of workers in the Abia State Liason Offices in Lagos and Abuja. They were all mandated to come to Umuahia for physical verification. Some of the workers are drivers and other junior workers who earn about 40,000 per month. They came to Umuahia and were kept for about 5 days unattended to and without any plans to offer them any form of assistance in terms of accommodation and food .When they elected to return to their stations, they suddenly became Ghost Workers.
"The gale of complaints from workers who beseige the office of the Accountant General on a daily basis to complain about being branded Ghost Workers is clear evidence of a badly managed process.
"Otti must take responsibility for his decision to sack workers. Ikpeazu has no hand in it. Ikpeazu employed them and paid them salaries from the time they were hired. It is common knowledge that workers in the State Ministries received their salaries regularly under Ikpeazu up until March 2023 when that judgment of an Abuja High Court froze the accounts of the State Government. Ikpeazu's salary obligations to workers in the State Civil Service was up to the month of April 2023. While he paid Local Government workers up to that month, workers in the State Civil Service were only owed for one month, April 2023!
"We concede that we had some gaps in the salaries of some agencies of government and pensions but the situation was not as bad as the people were meant to believe.
"Ikpeazu battled to pay salaries to workers even with the dwindling revenue profile of the State. Today, on account of the removal of Petroleum Subsidies by the Federal Government, Otti has received in three months what Ikpeazu never got in almost one year, yet he chose to sack workers!
Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Amobi Ogah has rejected the judgement of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, NAEPT, sitting in Umuahia which sacked him as the winner of the Feb. 25 National Assembly Election, ABN TV reports.
The tribunal in its ruling on Wednesday declared the petitioner, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha of the All Progressive Congress (APC) winner of a suit marked EPT/AB/HR/8/2023.
The judgement was delivered by the Chairman of the National and State House of Assembly election petitions in Abia state, Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe.
Justice Adeyinka declared Onyejeocha winner with a total number of 11,936 votes while the second and third respondents had 9,728 votes.
He also said that Ogah was not qualified to contest in the election as he and Labour Party did not comply with the provisions of section 77 by not submitting their membership register to INEC.
In his reaction in a statement, Ogah said he rejects the ruling and will go ahead to challenge it in court.
"Let me be clear that I am rejecting the tribunal's ruling and will appeal the obvious miscarriage of justice, fairness, and objectivity", he stated.
According to Ogah, "My opponent, whom I know, did not win the election and the judge cannot announce a result presented by the petitioner as concrete against the result presented by INEC. With the benefit of hindsight, this bizarre outcome is not totally strange as we had seen tendencies of clear compromise by the panel who discarded all known principles governing election adjudication and enunciated their own principles. Indeed, manifestation of it was writ large at the adoption of final addresses wherein the current Attorney General of the Federation- Lateef Fagbemi SAN made comments suggesting underhand dealings with the Chairman of the Panel.
"I want to use this medium to call on my constituents who voted for me, knowing my capacity to deliver dividends of democracy to them, to be calm law and abiding as I appeal the judgment delivered by the tribunal.
"For the records, I scored a total of 11,769 votes against my Opponent whom the commission said scored a total of 8,752 votes. It is very bizarre that despite calling a lone witness and dumping several strange result sheets before the Tribunal, the members of the panel cognized the same and disregarded original copies of the result sheets produced from proper custody."
Member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State, Rep. Amobi Ogah has said the call on President Bola Tinubu to use condoms for palliative for the poor as a measure to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is unnecessary.
Ogah also expressed gratitude to the leadership of the House for naming him the chairman of the Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria, saying it is an opportunity to contribute to the development of Nigeria's health sector.
Featuring on TVC's legislative programme, Hallowed Chambers monitored by ABN TV, Ogah said the most suitable palliative for the poor at this moment who are affected by the removal of fuel subsidy is food and measures that will ameliorate the economic hardship confronting many families and not the provision of condom.
Ogah, an expert in oil and gas noted that despite being relatively new in the field of his committee, he is poised to make the best out of the privilege to advance effective service delivery in health sector.
"I'm glad though I never expected to be chairman of that committee", he stated. "It's an honour to me, an honour to learn, it's an honour to save lives, an honour to be part of people that will improve our health sector", he added.
The lawmaker noted that since he was named chairman of the committee, he had embarked on a study to bring new innovative ideas in delivering this assignment.
While noting that it requires a political will to entrench a permanent turnaround in the sector, the Abia lawmaker emphasized that he has engaged some consultants who will offer technical support in discharging the mandate of the committee.
Hon. Ogah while decrying the endemic of fake drugs in circulation, said it is largely attributable to why malaria has become a hydra-headed health challenge in Nigeria.
"I can tell you that out of every ten Nigerians, eight are suffering from malaria. It's a very serious issue.
"Anything I put my head to, I do it very well. At a point I started thanking God, maybe there are lives He wants me to go and save out there.
"With the robust plan we have, in the shortest period of time, we are going to expose a lot. From the consultations we have carried out, we are poised in making a change. It requires a political will and that will is there", he stated.
Officers of Abia State police command have arrested one Bishop Timothy Otu, the General Overseer of Agape Evangelical Ministries (City of Miracles) in Obikabia Junction Aba, Abia in connection with the death of a female cleric and mother of five simply identified as “Evangelist Happiness”, ABN TV reports.
She was said to have died in a room in Jubilee Guest House Ovom, Ogborhill Aba where she was lodged along with bishop Otu.
Reports say the incident happened around 11pm on Saturday 12th August 2023.
The bishop was said to have absconded after the woman's death, telling the receptionist that he was going to buy food at that time of the night.
The manager of the Hotel who suspected foul play immediately reported to the Eastern Ngwa Police Station in Obingwa Local Government Area around around 1am on Sunday morning.
Upon arrival of police detectives, the victim was said to have laid naked, fuming from her mouth and nose.
Further investigations revealed that the late Evangelist who hails from Umuatakawom in Obingwa is a member of the Agape Evangelical Ministries Incorporated founded by Otu.
They were said to have been engaging in romantic relationships as seen in the text messages they exchanged.
Investigations revealed that the woman died during the marathon sex with the Bishop.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has declared that nothing would hinder his avowed decision to rebuild Aba, the commercial capital of the state, including rains, ABN TV reports.
The immediate past government of the PDP had consistently adduced rainy seasons as reason for slow pace of construction works in Aba and other parts of the state.
Governor Otti, who was joined on Friday by the Hungarian Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Gabor Kruss, and Economic Counselor of the Hungarian Embassy in Nigeria, Judith Beres, on an inspection tour of some ongoing road projects in Aba, said his government was determined to deliver on his promises during the campaigns, the governor's chief press secretary, Kazie Uko said in a statement.
Speaking to a jubilant crowd at Cemetery Road, one of the several roads being revamped in Aba, the Governor declared that the rains would not be an obstacle to giving residents of Aba the good life they have longed for in the past 24 years, the statement said.
"Whether it is raining or the sun is shining, we will rebuild Aba," Dr. Otti assured the cheering crowd, who left their shops and homes to mill around him and his entourage.
He continued: "I have come to see for myself the condition of this Cemetery Road and we're very happy with the progress of work in spite of the rain. The major challenge we have is that the drainage is blocked and the contractor, even though it's not part of his contract, has started desilting the drainage. If you look towards the left, you will see a lot of rubbish that they have excavated from the drainage.
"We have now divided the job into two phases. The first phase is from number one all the way to the rail line and across the rail is the second phase. So, all the rubbish we have here will be gone by tomorrow and once we have two days of dry weather, they will asphalt and this place will be ready to use.
"There is one more thing we will do, and we have also contracted for it; this place will have solar-powered street lights. Whether it is morning, night or darkness, this place will be lit up."
The Governor thanked the people for cooperating with the contractor and for their show of love and hospitality to the workers, urging for patience while the job lasted.
"Let me thank you once again for your patience. I know that you have been patient all this while and we have just a few more weeks before we deliver this road. We will also deliver other roads in Aba.
"Thank you for the support that you're giving to the workers. The contractor told me that you cook and bring food to the workers. I must thank you for that, God will continue to bless you," Dr. Otti prayed.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu on Friday applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his determination to expand the availability of energy in Nigeria through gas, ABN TV reports.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) stated that the applause came on the heels of the groundbreaking ceremony of the Gwagwalada Independent Power Plant (GIPP) project performed by President Tinubu.
The Gwagwalada Independent Power Project is a 1,350MW cycle power plant with auxiliaries and balance of plant to be situated on 547 hectares of land already acquired at Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
It will be recalled that the GIPP was necessitated by the need for delivering gas towards additional power generation capacity in Nigeria.
The gas supply to the Plant shall be through the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano
(AKK) Gas Pipeline which is currently at its advanced stage of construction.
The GIPP’s fuel requirements will be satisfied under a long-term gas Sales, Purchase and Aggregation Agreement with Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture (SPDC JV).
On completion, the GIPP project will generate an average of 10.3 million megawatts per hour (mwh) of electricity per year for a sale to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) which will be through power purchase agreement.
Kalu who represented the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas at the event commended the President for living up to the letters of his manifesto to prioritize power in Nigeria despite the numerous evidential odds within the first 90 days in office.
He said: “Seeking to expand energy availability through gas is an innovative way towards energy provision.
“The economic multiplier effect of this project to the FCT and Nigeria is much as it will stimulate the economy, especially the SMEs which are the greatest job creators in any economy, thereby reducing unemployment”.
Hon. Kalu who also expressed happiness with President Tinubu’s insistence on the 3-year mandate for the completion of the project, urged the related agencies of government involved in the project to expect more legislative support.
At least three suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of two police officers on Tuesday during an attack on Abia State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry in Ariaria International Market Aba, ABN TV.
The attack took place at Samec junction, Faulks Road, Aba,which led to the death of the two police officers. The suspects were arrested in Obingwa local government area of the state.
Police spokesperson in the command, ASP Chinaka Chioma Maureen, while briefing newsmen on Friday at the command headquarters noted that the arrests were made on Thursday, July 27.
She said, "On 27/07/2023 at about 11:3Oam, acting on credible intelligence, Police operatives from Abia State Police Command stormed a Hotel located in Ohanze Obingwa L.GA, Abia State.
"Consequently, three male suspects were arrested. Two revolver pistols, six rounds of 7.62x39MM Ammunition suitable for AK-47 rifles, and five rounds of 9MM Ammunition were found in their possession. Investigation into the case continues."
She also announced the arrest of 24 suspects comprising 20 males and 4 females suspects who allegedly carry out high profile kidnappings in the state.
Items recovered from them, she said include weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp, and some objects suspected to be charms.
Among suspects arrested according to her were two notorious kidnap kingpins in Umunneochi, for which investigation is ongoing
She said further, "On 27/07/2023, at about 8:00am acting on credible intelligence, Police operatives,led by the Divisional Police Officer Isuochi raided Garki market Lokpanta, arrested 20 male and 4 female suspects and recovered weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp, and some objects suspected to be charms. Among suspects arreted were two notorious kidnap kingpins in Umunneochi. Investigation is ongoing
"On the 22nd day of July 2023, at about 8:00pm, the Divisional Police Officer Isuochi and some operatives of Abia State Police Command while on patrol along Obinolu Ngodo, after the military base, ran into a Kidnapping incident.
"The kidnappers were given a hot chase and they ran into the bush, consequently, one victim was rescued.
"Furthermore, on 23 July, 2023, at about 6:00am, in continuation of the pursuit/bush combing, two more victims were rescued namely: Chukwukere Henry 'm' of Ogidi in Anambra State, Joshua Udeh 'm' of Okigwe in lmo State. Rescued victims confirmed that other victims succeeded in escaping and some ran to the military base, due to confusion that erupted in the kidnappers' den."
Local government workers under the aegis of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Abia State Chapter, has passed a vote of confidence on the state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, thanking the governor for fulfilling his promise to pay the local government workers despite ongoing verification of staff, ABN TV reports.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko who said this in a statement added that NULGE also urged its members to continue to support the Governor and his government in the task of rebuilding the state.
In a message sent to state officers, branch chairmen, and members of the various committees across the 17 local governments in the state, dated July 26, 2023, the Abia State NULGE President, Comrade Nwaigwe Ikechi Kennedy, confirmed that local government workers have received their June salaries as promised by Governor Otti, the governor's aide stated.
"I wish to thank His Excellency the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex C. Otti for the payment of June 2023 salary for LG workers.
"Recall my publication yesterday (Tuesday, July 25, 2023) that the salaries were successfully uploaded and that workers will start receiving their salaries immediately.
"I wish to announce that, LG workers have started receiving their salaries now", he quoted Nwaigwe as saying.
This release also urges those who have some challenges to go through their LG Treasurers or O/C payroll for guidance.
"Going forward, I urge all members of NULGE in the state to be calm, go about their normal business, and above all be law-abiding.
"The NULGE Abia State will continue to represent our members and give maximum support to the Gov of Abia State in his bid to take Abia State to the next level of development.
"Solidarity forever," the Abia NULGE president wrote in a circular to the LG workers.
Interpol Systems Consultant, Sir Chikwe Udensi has hosted the daughter of President Bola Tinubu, Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo at his Abuja home.
ABN TV gathered that the meeting centred around national issues.
The President’s daughter was impressed with Sir Udensi’s charity work in Abia State especially his empowerment of women, widows, indigent traders, and indigent education fund.
Mrs Tinubu-Ojo also expressed gratitude to Sir Udensi as one of the highest donors in Rotary International. He has three times been awarded the major donor of Rotary International.
She also sought Sir Udensi’s collaboration in her pet project of charity
Sir Udensi in his response applauded the daughter of the President for her numerous works of charity across Nigeria.
He expressed readiness to partner with her in ensuring that more disadvantaged Nigerians are reached.
A former lawmaker who represented Abia North, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa has lost his wife, Lady Barr. Nimi Faith Ohuabunwa, ABN TV reports.
Sources said she passed away on Saturday but circumstances surrounding her death is not known at the time of this report.
Ohuabunwa a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 and 2023 lost his bid to represent Abia North in the 9th and 10th NASS to Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu a former governor of Abia State.
A magistrate court in Umuahia Abia State has slammed life imprisonment on a 37-year-old HIV-Positive man, Mr. Chiemela Victor Ekeke for raping a 4-year-old girl in Umuahia, ABN TV reports.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has ordered immediate evacuation and seal-off of the block of shops that collapsed Wednesday morning in Aba, ABN TV reports.
A stretch of building housing about 15 shops inside the Shopping Centre Market, Aba, Zone 13, broke apart and caved in as traders got ready for the day's business, Kazie Uko chief press secretary to the governor said in a statement.
"Fortunately, there was no report of loss of lives or injury to traders and visitors to the market as those within promptly escaped when someone raised alarm of unusual cracks on the walls of the building", the statement said.
Governor Otti, who commiserated with traders whose shops were affected, described the tragic incident as unfortunate and avoidable, saying it was part of the rot of the past administration that the present government is trying to correct, the statement read further
"Reports reaching me from traders in the market suggest that this tragic and unfortunate incident is as a result of greed by officials of the past administration.
"I understand that additional structures were erected on existing floors not minding the negative impact and structural defect such would have on the building.
"The consequence of that indiscretion is this avoidable tragedy of a collapsed block of shops. We, however, thank God that there is no loss of life or injury to anyone," Dr. Otti said.
Abia State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, has dismissed as untrue and unfounded, the fake news that the State Government has sacked all medical doctors in the state public service.
According to the Commissioner, “the purported sack is only the figment of the authors’ imagination as the government has no intention of sacking or disengaging any doctor or health personnel currently working to support our ongoing efforts at reviving the health sector in the state.”
She also maintained that no one has been asked to submit “fresh expression of interest” as the fake circular directed.
Dr. Okoronkwo advised the doctors and members of the general public to ignore the rumour and support the several initiatives of the government at driving holistic healthcare delivery in the state.
A 37-year-old HIV-Positive man accused of raping a 4-year-old girl in Umuahia, Abia State Mr. Chiemela Victor Ekeke has pleaded guilty to rape allegation, ABN TV reports.
He was arraigned on Wednesday before a magistrate court in Umuahia, Abia State capital where he pleaded guilty to three-count charges bordering on rape.
Upon interrogation, the accused person said his doctor told him he has a small load of HIV that has been flushed out of his system.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Okezuonu Obioma an official of the Ministry of Justice told ABN TV that the accused person did not deny any of the 3-count charges.
He said he laid before the magistrate court the facts in order to convince the court that the accused persons committed the crime.
The court found him guilty and adjourned till July 21 for sentencing.
The accused person, a labourer and a farmer said on Friday narrated how he had gone to the victim's home in search of a woman that is related to the victim's family to pay her the sum of N3,000 he had earlier borrowed from her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h19DkMXpFhw The accused person said upon arrival at the home of the victim located at Ogbulafor Street in Umuahia, he met the children playing in the parlour.
According to him, while two of the children left the parlour, and he was left with the youngest one, the 4-year-old old girl, he put her on his laps, playing with her.
He confessed that he laid her on the bed where his hand mistakenly touched her on the private part.
He denied having carnal knowledge of the victim despite blood stains around her legs. "Maybe it's through the touching", he stated defending why the blood gushed out from the baby's private organ.
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti has appointed the following persons into the under-listed positions, with effect from the date of this publication.
This is contained in a statement on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press secretary, Kazie Uko, made available to ABN TV.
1. Mr. Ugochukwu Okoroafor – Special Adviser, Monitoring and Evaluation
2. Hon Iheanacho Obioma – Special Adviser, Political Affairs
3. Prof Ijeoma Iheukwumere – Senior Special Assistant, Environment
4. Mr. Odinakachi Eric Eme – Senior Special Assistant, Multilateral and Donor Agencies
5. Mr. Nwaka Inem – Special Adviser on Trade, Commerce and Industry
6. Magdalene Ugoanusi – Senior Special Assistant, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
7. Mr. Martins Okechukwu Justice (J Martins) – Special Assistant on Tourism and Entertainment
8. Dr. George Chidozie – Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties
9. Pastor Okorougo Aji – Special Assistant, Lands and Housing
10. Dr. Obioma Nwogbe – Senior Special Assistant, Transport
11. Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba – Senior Special Assistant, Homeland Security
12. Ven (Dr.) Joshua Onyeike – General Manager, ASOPADEC
13. Pastor Dike Nwankwo – Director General, Abia State Orientation Agency
14. Dr. Uloaku Ukaegbu – Director, Abia State Agency for Control of AIDS
15. Dr. Eric Egwuibe – Senior Special Assistant, Budget and Planning
16. Dr. Anthony Nwaubani, Senior Special Assistant, Finance
17. Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke, GM, ASEPA
18. Mr. Daniel Chinagozi – Special Assistant, Digital Economy
19. Mr. Chinedu Ekeke – Deputy Chief of Staff (cum Senior Special Assistant on Sports and Youth Development)
20. Dr. Oluebube Olunna Chukwu – Senior Special Assistant, Due Process
21. Apostle Kenneth C. Wiper – Special Assistant on Religious Activities
22. Mr. Ishmael Onuoha – Senior Special Assistant, Cooperative Societies
23. Col. Ezichi Kalu (Rtd.) – General Manager, Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA)
24. Mrs. Mathilda Anyamele – Special Assistant, Special Duties.
25. Mrs. Chinwe Kanu Uba – Special Assistant, Women Mobilisation.
26. Mrs. Chinwe Onyeukwu – Special Assistant, Women Affairs.
27. Kanu Nwankwo – Chairman, Enyimba International Football Club, Aba
28. Boniface Alozie Uche – Chairman, Abia Comets
29. John Sam Obuh – Chairman, Abia Warriors
30. Dr. Benson Nwaigburu, GM, Abia State Debt Management Office
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has directed immediate payment of arrears of April salaries owed public workers in the state by the immediate past government.
Governor Otti also ordered the payment of June pensions to retirees, some of whom were being owed upwards of 50 months by the last administration.
This is contained in a statement on Monday by the governor’s Chief Press secretary, Kazie Uko, made available to ABN TV.
The payments he said are in fulfillment of his campaign promise not to owe pensioners and those in service and to clear all outstanding verified debts.
According to the statement, “The Governor gave the directive on Monday after a meeting of the Executive Council which had the Deputy Governor, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, 16 newly sworn-in Commissioners, the Accountant General and other senior functionaries of the State in attendance.
“Dr. Otti directed the Accountant General to ensure that both the April 2023 salary arrears and the June pension are paid before the end of the week, despite the ongoing verification of pensioners and workers in the government payroll.”
A 37-year-old HIV-Positive man accused of raping a 4-year-old girl in Umuahia, Abia State, Mr. Chiemela Victor Ekeke has said his hand touched the victim's private part by mistake, ABN TV reports.
The accused person, a labourer and a farmer said on Friday 7th July 2023, when the incident happened, he had gone to the victim's home in search of a woman that is related to the victim's family to pay her the sum of N3,000 he had earlier borrowed from her.
Narrating how he committed the crime to ABN TV, the accused person said upon arrival at the home of the victim located at Ogbulafor Street in Umuahia, he met the children playing in the parlour.
According to him, while two of the children left the parlour, and he was left with the youngest one, the 4-year-old old girl, he put her on his laps, playing with her.
He confessed that he laid her on the bed where his hand mistakenly touched her on the private part.
He denied having carnal knowledge of the victim despite blood stains around her legs. "Maybe it's through the touching", he stated defending why the blood gushed out from the baby's private organ.
"I only touched her for a while. When she said she want to go inside the room, I left her", he stated.
Mr. Okeke who after committing the act went to the bedroom of the children's mother to have a rest said he was weak and needed to rest.
The mother was said to have arrived after the suspected paedophile had committed the act.
The victim had complained to her mother about the pain in her private part, making it difficult for her to pass urine.
This however aroused her mother's suspicion who quickly raised alarm, leading to the arrest of Mr. Okeke.
Mr. Okeke who admitted that he is HIV-positive said the doctors informed him that the virus in his system is not something serious.
A medical test however reveals that a penetration had taken place in the private part of the 4-year-old girl and Mr. Okeke tested HIV positive.
It was a night of sober and weeping as friends of late Chika Anaebom popularly known as Chika Malaysia converged at De Latinos lounge in Umuahia Abia State capital on Saturday night to hold a candlelight service in his honour.
Friends and well-wishers gave good testimonies of the late Anaebom and how his life was impactful.
Top celebrities, including Real Estate Mogul, OAPs, actors, actresses and musicians etc, were at the candlelight service.
His Malaysian wife, first son, and family members also graced the event.
A burial arrangement released by Chief John Nwokoria on behalf of his family says the late Anaebom would be buried in his family compound Avutu Obowo local government area of Imo State.
There will be a service of songs in his honour on Wednesday, July 12 at his family compound from 6pm till dawn.
On Thursday, July 13 a funeral service will take place in his honour at 12noon after which he will be laid to rest.
He was killed with a Vietnamese woman last year and buried in a shallow grave in northeastern Thailand.
Police forensics investigators identified the bodies of the two victims.
A renowned gospel singer, Dr. Felix Ndukwe says he has concluded arrangements to donate relief items to widows in a location God will reveal to him in appreciation of what He has done for him.
He stated this in a chat with ABN TV on Friday in Umuahia.
He said items expected to be donated include, fabrics, food items, and cash and those to benefit are widows from the age of 55 and above.
Coming up at a venue yet to be announced, the humanitarian outreach is in appreciation of his successful escape from kidnappers in an Imo community recently.
He was abducted on his way back from a friend's birthday when he was rounded up by and abducted by heavily armed kidnappers.
Narrating his ordeal, while they directed him to their camp as he drove in the midnight of the day of his abduction last month, he intentionally ran into an erosion, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly, a situation that left his abductors with no option than to abandon him.
Dr. Ndukwe who has before now carried out several humanitarian outreaches, including free medical campaigns said he is using this opportunity to give to widows to appreciate God and to give less privileged people from what God has given him.
No fewer than 30 widows will benefit from the gesture at a location he said God will reveal to him.
A renowned gospel singer, Dr. Felix Ndukwe says he has concluded arrangements to donate relief items to widows in a location God will reveal to him in appreciation of what He has done for him.
He stated this in a chat with ABN TV on Friday in Umuahia.
He said items expected to be donated include, fabrics, food items, and cash and those to benefit are widows from the age of 55 and above.
Coming up at a venue yet to be announced, the humanitarian outreach is in appreciation of his successful escape from kidnappers in an Imo community recently.
He was abducted on his way back from a friend's birthday when he was rounded up by and abducted by heavily armed kidnappers.
Narrating his ordeal, while they directed him to their camp as he drove in the midnight of the day of his abduction last month, he intentionally ran into an erosion, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly, a situation that left his abductors with no option than to abandon him.
Dr. Ndukwe who has before now carried out several humanitarian outreaches, including free medical campaigns said he is using this opportunity to give to widows to appreciate God and to give less privileged people from what God has given him.
No fewer than 30 widows will benefit from the gesture at a location he said God will reveal to him.
Lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State House of Assembly has given the Labour Party-led legislative House 90 days ultimatum to revert to the provisions of the Harmonized Standing Orders (Rules of the Abia State House of Assembly), ABN TV learnt.
The lawmakers say as the party with the majority elected members of the Eight House of Assembly, it should produce/occupy the Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip positions, faulting the Labour Party for producing the Majority leader despite being a minority party.
In the three-month Pre-Action Notice addressed to the clerk, ABHA Umuahia and signed by Counsel to the PDP elected members, Igwe Ogwo Esq; they will recover the Majority Leadership positions.
The document further revealed that the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, disregarded the names of the nominated House of Assembly members of the PDP sent to him by the Chairman of PDP, Abia State Chapter, Rt. Hon. Alwell Asiforo Okere read out the names that were sent to him by the Labour Party (LP) that has the minority members in the Eighth House of Assembly.
The document reads thus in parts: “This is an utter breach and violation of the extant and crystally clear provisions of Order 8, Rule 42(1), 43(1), and 45(1) of the Harmonized Standing Orders (Rules of the Abia State House of Assembly) and an affront to our democratic tenets, spirit and the law.
They want to Speaker to revert to the order of the House which allows the majority party to occupy the Majority Leader's position.
They also disclosed that failure, refusal or neglect to comply with the legal Pre-Action Notice, they would invite the Honourable Court to interpret the legal import purport of the provisions of the already referred Harmonized Standing Orders (Rules of the Abia State House of Assembly) as to the meaning of: “…he shall be a member nominated from the party with the highest number of members in the House”.
They maintained that the following relief shall also be sought in addition:
"A declaration that PDP is the majority party in the ABHA as presently constituted.
"A declaration that the Respondent cannot validly be nominated and/or appoint a member of the ABHA who is not a member of the PDP as the Majority Leader of the ABHA.
"A declaration that only a member of the majority party (PDP) can be nominated and appointed as the Majority Leader of the ABHA.
"A declaration that only a member of the majority party (PDP) can be nominated and appointed as the Deputy Majority Leader of the ABHA.
"A declaration that only a member of the majority party (PDP) can be nominated and appointed as the Chief Whip of the ABHA.
"A declaration that only a member of the majority party (PDP) can be nominated and appointed as the Deputy Chief Whip of the ABHA.
"A declaration that the purported nomination and/or appointment of the Minority members as Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip of ABHA on 30th Day of June 2023 is unconstitutional, invalid, null and void and constitutes a breach of the ABHA".
Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti on Friday swore-in 19 Commissioners in the state, ABN TV reports.
The swearing-in was performed by the Governor at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia.
In his speech during the event, Otti charged the new commissioners to work in line with his administration’s vision of delivering a new Abia State.
He encouraged them to utilize their jobs in writing their names in gold by playing important roles in the rebuilding of Abia, especially in areas of critical infrastructure.
The new Commissioners and their portfolios are as follows:
1. Ikechukwu Uwanna: Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
2. Prof Monica Ironkwe: Agriculture
3. Kingsley Anosike: Budget and Planning
4. Prof Uche Eme Uche: Education
5. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna: Environment and Urban Renewal
6. Mike Akpara: Finance
7. Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo: Health
8. Prince Okey Kanu. -Information and Culture
9. Chaka Chukwumerije: Lands and Housing
10. Prince Uzor Nwachukwu: Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs
11. Prof Joel Friday Ogbonna: Petroleum and Mineral Resources
12. Chima Emmanuel Oriaku: Science and Technology
13. Nwaobilor Ananaba: Sports and Youth Development
14. Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu: Trade, Commerce & Industry
15. Ngozi Blessing Felix: Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
16. Engr Don Otumchere Oti: Works
17. Comrade Sunny Onwuma: Transport
18. Engr Ikechukwu Monday: Power and Public Utilities
The newly appointed commissioners in Abia state will today, Friday, July 7, 2023 be sworn-in by the governor, Dr. Alex Otti, ABN TV reports.
Kazie Uko, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor made this known in a statement on Thursday.
He said, "Dr. Otti had last week submitted a list of 19 nominees for the post of commissioners to the State House of Assembly for approval. Sixteen of them subsequently appeared before the House, earlier this week, for screening and were promptly cleared.
"The other three nominees are expected to appear before the Assembly next week for screening.
"The 16 commissioner-designates are scheduled for swearing in today at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, by 11 a.m.
Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti says he has commenced the process of rejuvenating Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the State, with the handover of nine Road works to different contractors on Wednesday, ABN TV reports.
Led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Engr Otumchere Oti, Governor Otti defied the afternoon showers as he toured the degenerated roads across the Aba metropolis, Chief press secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko said in a statement.
Excited residents according to the statement cheered the Governor and his entourage, which included the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa; his deputy, Rt Hon Augustine Meregini and the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Destiny Akaraka Nwagwu, at every stop as Dr. Otti observed the decadence that dotted long stretches of the roads earmarked for rehabilitation.
"We had promised that we are going to rebuild the roads. The first thing is that we clear the drainages because if we don’t do that, we won't be able to build roads that would last.
"As you can see on this Azikiwe Road, the main job here is to clear the drainages, desilt them and open up the flow of water to Aba River.
"There are a few roads we want to rebuild completely and those are the roads that we have come to handover to the contractors today," Uko quoted Governor Otti of telling the ecstatic crowd.
Some of the roads that will receive immediate attention in order to "significantly reduce the sufferings of motorists within Aba" are, namely: 1. University Road, Abayi 2. Green Avenue 3. Udeagbala Road 4 Shallom Road 5, Umuimo Road 6. Old Express Road 7. Abak Road with adjoining streets 8. Queens Street 9. Jubilee Road.
Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has set a September 1, 2023 target to migrate the state into a Treasury Single Account (TSA), ABN TV reports.
Dr. Otti said from that date all monies accruing to the State will be paid into a single account. Likewise, all payments by the state will be made through the same account.
The Governor spoke Wednesday at a townhall meeting with the leaderships of the transport unions and markets in the state, held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Umuahia, capital of Abia, chief press secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko said in a statement.
The townhall meeting was to educate as well as enlighten transporters and traders in the state on their obligations as the state adopts the new digital system of tax payments, the statement added.
"Our government is a very responsible government. We must put the people first and that's why you're here," the Governor told his audience as he set the tone and agenda for the event.
Governor Otti reiterated that the whole essence of digitalising the tax regime in the state is to eliminate all forms of sharp practices including fraud, diversion of proceeds, and middlemen.
"Now, you can pay from the comfort of your home or office, and get digital receipts on your mobile devices. We can authenticate your receipts through a code, I believe it's a QR code. We can read your receipts and know whether they're authentic or not.
"This scheme is carefully designed to develop and empower our people. It will lead to employment generation and also give confidence to our people that their payments are getting to the right place," Governor Otti further explained.
He called on the stakeholders in revenue generation to embrace the new tax regime, insisting that it would help in eliminating all forms of manual collection of revenue and fraud, increase the revenue base of the State, help in the ease of doing business, attract local and international investors and also help the government fulfill its campaign promises to the people of Abia State.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on IGR, Mr. Chimereze Okigbo said the town hall meeting was to have useful interactions with the necessary stakeholders given the formal launch of the new digital tax system.
A renowned gospel musician, Felix Ndukwe has narrated how he escaped from kidnappers along Oji flyover while he was returning from a birthday party in Imo State.
Speaking with ABN TV on Wednesday, Mr. Ndukwe said he had stopped along the express at odd hour on June 24 to urinate when the kidnappers surrounded him at gunpoint and ordered him to move the car while they dictate the direction.
According to him, the abductors gave him a stern warning not to make any move to escape or have himself to blame.
He said they directed him to Orlu road, from where they accessed Owerri town and later found themselves inside Ihiagwa.
"God planted confusion in their midst. There is a road that is supposed to link them to a better one from where they would take me to their destination.
"Fortunately for me, the man in front giving me direction missed it because he was making calls, apparently calling other colleagues.
"Another person at the back got angry, asking why he was on the phone for a long time instead of directing them man.
"When I discovered that we have gone off their planned road and where we were was not motorable enough. I found a way to entrap my vehicle so that it can't move again.
"When I saw a big erosion, I intentionally entered in the middle of it, sensing that a salon vehicle cannot pass there, if not a tipper.
"When we got entrapped, they became infuriated and one of them wanted to hit me with his gun butt but I dodged. The other person warned him against touching me.
"At this point, they did all they could to no avail, then they abandoned me", he stated.
Ndukwe who was full of praise said he started calling people for rescue before he was safely evacuated.
The Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti on Monday launched a new digital tax system that would help the state eliminate fraud and intermediaries in revenue generation, ABN TV reports.
The new system, which integrates free medical insurance schemes for all commercial vehicle drivers and riders of Keke and Okada, will see the state also maximise its revenue potential, the governor says.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko in a statement said at the launch, Dr. Otti, who was flanked by some senior members of his cabinet, including the Chief of Staff, Dr. Caleb Ajagba; the Special Adviser on Internally-Generated Revenue, Mr. Chimereze Isaac Okigbo; and Special Adviser on Policies and Interventions, Rev Father Christian Anokwuru, said that the introduction of the new digital system will not only strengthen the state’s tax collection but would also promote economic growth and entrepreneurship in the state.
“By simplifying tax compliance procedures, we have removed barriers for businesses, encourage formalisation, and stimulate investment. This initiative empowers entrepreneurs, enabling them to focus on their ventures' growth and expansion, ultimately leading to job creation and economic prosperity for our state.
“By eliminating fraud, intermediaries, and introducing the digital platform to block leakages, we will unlock the true potential of our tax system to maximise revenue for development projects.
“The digitalised tax regime ensures that every business, large or small, contributes its fair share towards the growth of our state. With the expected increased revenue, the government can invest in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and other essential sectors that will uplift the lives of all Ndi Abia,” he quoted the Governor as saying.
He declared that the free medical insurance scheme component of the new digital tax payment system is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to create an affordable health care delivery “for our people across all sectors and segments” of the society.
The new digital tax system essentially aims at sanitising revenue generation in the transport sector and the markets. While the Permit to Operate Tickets targets those in the transport business, the Innovative Traders Tax Payment aptly targets traders in the market areas.
“Unlike in the past where revenue agents abused these daily tickets with all manner of collectibles, now, we are promoting Transparency and Ease of Compliance in our commitment to making tax compliance simpler and more accessible. The digitalised tax regime introduces enumeration and easy paying platforms which includes the use of USSD and wallet services.
“The Permit to operate Tickets for Transporters has been designed in bouquets which gives the commercial transport operators options to choose among the daily, weekly and monthly scheme. This has eliminated all forms of middle men that have been meddling on our revenue collection space. We are also optimistic that this model will eventually eliminate and reduce the risk of extortion, promote transparency, increase tax compliance, strengthen ease of doing business in Abia state and empower these businesses to operate within a legally defined framework and environment,” the Governor said.
Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti has ordered the immediate suspension of the Head of Service of the state, Mr. Onyi Nwamah, ABN TV reports.
This according to the Governor follows the inauguration of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the Recovery of Properties and Funds belonging to Abia State Government.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko in a statement Thursday night made available to ABN TV, said the state's chief executive also ordered the suspension of all Permanent Secretaries in the State civil service.
The Governor also approved the appointment of Lady Joy Maduka, Director, Ministry of Education, as Acting Head of Service (HOS).
Two Permanent Secretaries spared by the suspension include, John Pedro Iroakazi who is the Clerk of the House of Assembly and Mrs. U. G. Uche Ikonne who is the Solicitor General of the state.
…..thanked Hon. Sam Onuigbo for fighting to move the project to NNPC Tax Credit Scheme
Indigenes of Ikwuano local government area of Abia State have called for the immediate termination of the contract for the construction of Umuahia/Ikot-Ekpene Road awarded to Hartland construction company, accusing the firm of delaying the completion of the contract.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSiaUFwmSds The indigenes at a meeting with officials of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and representatives of Heartland on Tuesday at Ikwuano local government headquarters seek answers to reasons for the delay in construction of the Umuahia /Ikot-Ekpene road.
While speaking on their challenges, the Federal Controller of Works Abia State Engineer Onwubiko stated that the major challenge has been compensations of right of way, stressing that under the Land Use Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, lands are owned by the state.
This he said requires States to pay compensations to locals whose property will be affected as a result of the construction.
While speaking the President General of Ikwuano Development Union Dr. Charles Uzondu raised the possibility of Governor Alex Otti taking over the portion of the road stretching to Ndoro within the Umuahia Capital Territory Area which the Federal Controller reported that the Governor has had some inquiries about the suggestion.
However, he stressed that it would be cheaper for the Governor to pay the compensation since the road is already under contract than to attempt to award it from scratch.
The Federal Controller pleaded with the people of Ikwuano to exercise patience as there is room for improvement and the project will fully commence as soon as the rains subside.
He urged them to thank their son, Hon. Sam Onuigbo for fighting to move the project to NNPC Tax Credit Scheme, noting that the roads that are constructed and completed today are those under special funding.
He also noted that the contract seeks an extension due to late compliance with funding.
Expressing his dissatisfaction after the follow-up meeting, the President General of Ikwuano Development Union Federated Dr, Charles Uzondu said “I am disturbed, I am not satisfied, nothing specific has been said, they are not ready to do this job, we didn’t want to be militant about it but that’s the truth, because the contractors were not allowed to speak, it was only the Federal Ministry for works that were speaking for them.
“He took all the questions which a way of saying I am protecting my contractors and that seems to agree with our own feelings that the contractors lack what it takes to do this job, they were here, but they did not respond to the questions, we wanted them to respond to the questions.
“We also feel that the contract was given to the wrong persons that does not have what it takes to do this job.”
Dr. Uzondu noted that Hartland's failure to respond to questions thrown at them is clear evidence that they are not capable to do the job.
When asked about some of challenges slowing the progress of job as adduced by the Federal Ministry of Works during the follow-up meeting, Dr Uzondu said “He talked about the rain, every time that’s the story we’ve been hearing, when the dry season comes another reasons will come.
“He talked about compensations on right of way and he has not told us what they did about the compensations on the right of way.
“If there are challenges and obstacles how do you address those challenges, what efforts have they made to address these challenges they didn’t tell us, how many houses are on the right of way they? I expected them to tell us with that data.
“We are from Ikwuano tell us those at the right way, which millage are they? we will approach those people and tell them we are suffering on this road and also interact with them that’s my expectation".
The remains of Imo State indigene, Chika Anaebom popularly known as Chika Malaysia killed in Thailand last year will be laid to rest on July 13, ABN TV reports.
He died at the age of 39.
A burial arrangement released by Chief John Nwokoria on behalf of his family says the late Anaebom would be buried in his family compound Avutu Obowo local government area of Imo State,
There will be a service of songs in his honour on Wednesday, July 12 at his family compound from 6pm till dawn.
On Thursday, July 13 a funeral service will take place in his honour at 12noon after which he will be laid to rest.
He was killed last year along with a Vietnamese woman and buried in a shallow grave in northeastern Thailand.
Police forensics investigators identified the bodies of the two victims
The remains of Nigerian national, Chika Anaebom popularly known as Chika Malaysia will return home this weekend as arrangements have been completed to fly his corpse back to the country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk2qP3aorv0 ABN TV had reported that Chika was killed last year along with a Vietnamese woman and buried in a shallow grave in northeastern Thailand.
Police forensics investigators identified the bodies of the two victims.
A wild mushroom harvester discovered their bodies in a forest at Chok Chai district in Nakhon Ratchasima on the evening of July 28, 2022.
The man noticed a fresh pile of earth covered with branches about 500 metres off Highway 224. The village head and other residents went to check it out.
They dug into the soil and quicky stopped when they uncovered part of a human body.
Police were called to the scene and rescue workers dug deeper, uncovering the bodies of a man and a woman buried less than one metre down.
Village headman Thepbancha Saikrathok said the woman’s body was above the man's body in the grave, and each was mostly covered with a layer of cement.
The two bodies were taken to Chok Chai Hospital for full post-mortem examination to support investigation and identification
On Thursday, August 4, Nakhon Ratchasima police said the serial number of the Vietnamese woman’s silicone breast implants and Anaebom's fingerprint assisted in identifying them.
Authorities in Thailand have however heeded to the appeal by Mr. Anaebom's family to hand over his corpse to them.
A family source told ABN TV that the late Anaebom will be buried next month (July) without specifying a date.
He hails from Imo State while his parents reside in Abia state where his body is expected to arrive first.
The immediate past General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Abia state, Chief Enyinnaya Nwokonta had died, ABN TV reports.
He died in a ghastly road accident involving his private vehicle while on his way to Umuahia in the early hours of Monday.
Popularly known as Pocket, he was said to have had a head-on collision with an articulated vehicle, popularly known as a trailer.
He was reportedly crushed on the spot.
He was among officials of the Abia State government who was relieved of their appointments recently.
ABN TV reports that he handed over the affairs of the agency to the most senior staff in compliance with the directive of the Governor of Abia State Dr Alex Otti few weeks ago.
Politics › Stop Blaming Me For Your Inability To Do Anything - Ikpeazu Hits Gov. Otti by Metrix147(op): 1:33pm On Sep 07, 2023
