How Former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu Granted N37.2 Billion To Contractors For Infrastructure That Didn't Exist

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu

AN accounting firm's forensic investigation has shown how the outgoing Abia State government, Okezie Ikpeazu, sanctioned contracts to build a nonexistent state-owned airport and other infrastructure.

The disclosure was revealed by Dr. Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, at a talk at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC, USA.

“Dynamics of State Governance, Economic Transition and the Challenges of Seeking to Establish a New Order Amidst Multiple Constraints and Pushbacks” was the focus of his speech.

According to Otti, it is challenging to acknowledge that certain Nigerian politicians run for office for dubious motives.

He clarified that certain politicians have exploited their position of authority to the detriment of their states.

Otti described how he had the state accounts examined by a premier audit company, which had shown multiple deals tainted by corruption.

He declared, “Talking about corruption, I set up a forensic audit as soon as I took over last year in Abia so that there won't be any argument, I called in one of the top three audit firms in the world and not too long ago, they sent in their report and some of the things in the report are frightening.

“So, N9.3 billion was paid to seven contractors for contracts that were not executed at all up till today. Another N15.9 billion- almost N16 billion was paid to 63 contractors with no supporting documents anywhere in the State.

“Another N12 billion was paid to two contractors for contracts that did not exist. Out of this figure, N10bn was on September 25, 2020- that is almost four years, paid to some contractors for the construction of Abia State Airport.

“We have spent time trying to locate the airport and up till now, we have failed.”

Otti informed his audience that one of his assistants had suggested that he look for the airport using Artificial Intelligence (Al).

“So, as we continue to look for our airport, we have also involved security agencies to help us search.”

Otti clarified that politicians' ignorance of the importance of economic integration and governance is the cause of the N37.2 billion spent on phantom projects.

Otti claims that a lack of accountability makes it possible for people to steal resources from them without thinking.

The governor lamented how public institutions lose trust and ineptitude is encouraged when people live in poverty.

He claimed that the inability of Nigerian governments to pay salaries and pensions is proof of the politicians' lack of creativity.

Otti complained earlier in April 2024 that his predecessor had left the state with a N192 billion debt. He went on to explain how Theodore Orji left his predecessor with a N34.5 billion debt.