Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Immediate-past Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, Dr Philips Nto, has protested the seizure of his official vehicle by the State Panel on Recovery of Government Property.
The former Commissioner for Finance, argued that by Government’s extant regulations, he was entitled to go with his official vehicle as Provost and wondered why the panel did not put that fact into consideration.
He also said that the panel did not consider the fact that he was being owed close to N120 million before ordering the Recovery of the vehicle.
Dr Nto expressed worries that the panel issued two conflicting orders on the same matter within a space of two days, raising serious suspicion about the action.
According to him, in as much as he was prepared to obey the order of the panel, the haste with which the order was executed left him uncomfortable.
“There was something fishy about the whole drama. An order was issued on Wednesday giving me one week to return the car, but I am surprised that another order was issued today requesting the immediate return of the vehicle,” he said.
He also said he did not want to believe that he was being persecuted because he worked under a PDP Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, who gave the necessary approval for his action.
He called on Gov Alex Otti to ensure that “some people do not use the panel to fight their personal matter as against the good intentions of government.”
Gov. Otti, had shortly after taking over power inaugurated a Judicial panel of inquiry to recover all public property and funds in private hands.
Although his predecessor approached the court to stop the panel from probing him and all those who served under him, the panel has continued with the inquiries as the matter has remained a subject of litigation.
