Abia Judicial Panel Orders Arrest Of Ikpeazu’s Former Chief Of Staff, Deputy | READ FULL DETAILS 

The Chairman of the Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of Government Property and Funds, Justice Florence Doruoha-Igwe (Rtd), has issued a Bench Warrant on Anthony Agbazuere and Don Ubani, who served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff, respectively, to former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

The Bench Warrant on Agbazuere according to Justice Duruoha-Igwe, was because of his alleged failure to appear before the Panel to give evidence in respect to a Toyota Hilux Land Cruiser alleged to be in his possession since he left office.

Justice Doruoha-Igwe (Rtd) who adjourned the matter to January 24, 2024, directed that Agbazuere should be arrested and produced for further cross examination.

On the other hand, the Panel said that the Bench warrant on Don Ubani, was because of his alleged failure to appear before the Panel and his inability to file a response to a notice served him on 30th of November, 2023.

The panel chairman directed that Ubani should also be arrested and produced before the panel to defend himself on the next adjournment.

Reacting to the development, Ubani said he was shocked to read that a Bench Warrant had been issued on him, as he was never invited by the Panel.

“I am shocked to read that a Bench Warrant could be issued on me without ever being invited to a Panel either by writing or even through a telephone call.

No person has ever invited me to the said Judicial Panel of Inquiry. No Notice has ever been served me to which I was allegedly unable to file a response. No person has ever called to inform me why I should be invited. If I had ever been invited by the Panel, I would have majestically and proudly appeared before it because I have no skeleton in my cupboard.

Issuing a ‘Bench Warrant’ on me when no official of the Panel has ever invited me at any time, can only be viewed as False Propaganda and Political Witch Hunting.

So far, I have not been invited to the Panel and no Notice has been served me, whatsoever. Once I am invited, I would make myself available except I receive any intelligence that the reason for inviting me is just to lay a trap of insecurity against my life by the Otti Labour Government” Ubani stated.