Chief Chikwe Udensi, a prominent member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, has cautioned Governor Alex Otti to refrain from making unsubstantiated allegations against his predecessor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Otti had claimed during a public lecture in the United States of America that a forensic audit he commissioned revealed that the Ikpeazu administration misappropriated N107 billion by paying contractors for nonexistent projects.
In response, Udensi urged Otti to make the report of the forensic audit public, emphasizing that the governor should not mix his achievements with false accusations.
He questioned the credibility of Otti’s claims, pointing out that the manner in which his administration handled the alleged embezzlement of N107 billion suggested that the allegations might not be true. Udensi also noted that previous similar allegations made by the Otti administration had been proven false.
Udensi expressed his concern that such a serious matter involving the alleged embezzlement of N107 billion was being treated lightly.
He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, stating that if proper procedures were followed, those responsible for the alleged misappropriation should be detained pending the outcome of the investigation.
He criticized Otti’s selective investigation, focusing only on the Ikpeazu administration instead of examining all administrations from 1999 to 2023. Udensi argued that such selectivity raised suspicions about Otti’s motives.
Furthermore, Udensi highlighted the importance of due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. He criticized the practice of conducting “media trials” before proper investigations were conducted, stating that such actions denied the accused the right to a fair defense.
As a forensic investigator himself, Udensi stressed the importance of adhering to standard operating procedures in forensic audits. He explained that a proper forensic investigation required that the records of the auditors and the auditee be in agreement, and that one-sided audits could not be considered forensic.
Udensi insisted that before accusing anyone of wrongdoing, the evidence must be presented, and the accused must be given the opportunity to defend themselves. He called for transparency and accountability, stating that without verifiable facts, the allegations of misappropriation of N107 billion would be treated as fraudulent.
Udensi urged Otti to focus on his infrastructure projects but to be truthful and transparent with the people of Abia State. He emphasized the importance of doing things correctly and called for evidence-based accusations rather than baseless allegations.
