Abia Panel of Inquiry recovers govt car from ex-Director

The Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of government property and funds has recovered a Toyota Corolla car from a former Director of Administration of the Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, ASOPADEC, Maxwell Enyite.

The recovered car was said to have been bequeathed to Enyite by the Commission to aid his movement from Umuahia to Aba.

But the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe while addressing the matter in Umuahia, said there is no substantial evidence before the panel to conclude that the vehicle was given to Enyite by ASOPADEC.

She reminded the respondent that only the Governor of the state as required by law has the power to bequeath government property to stakeholders or individuals for a meritorious service rendered for the state which she said must follow due process.

Justice Duruoha-Igwe therefore ordered that the vehicle be parked at the Panel’s premises pending further investigations.

But in his speech, Maxwell Enyite said the Commission invited him and handed over the Toyota Corolla to him as a parting gift.

He said the car was in a rickety condition before the Commission gave it to him adding that he spent money to repair the vehicle to assist him shuttle from Umuahia to Aba, his new posting office, at the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA).