Kalu, Witness Shun Imo Panel

The Imo State House of Assembly, yesterday, said that former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Kalu and Maximus Uba, a freelance journalist, again failed to appear before its ad-hoc committee to substantiate allegations of financial recklessness leveled against Governor Ikedi Ohakim.

Uba and Kalu had accused Ohakim of financial recklessness on the Okigwe regional water project.

Chairman of the ad-hoc committee set up by the House to investigate the matter, Chief Samuel Anyanwu, told newsmen shortly after the public hearing that the duo failed to appear before the panel.

Anyanwu said though they were principal witnesses in the allegation, Kalu and Uba failed to appear on September 10 when the committee invited them.

Anyanwu said the committee had wanted to give them fair hearing before writing its report.

Every Nigerian should respect constituted authority, we will let the journalists know the findings of the investigation at the appropriate time, he said.

But reaching, Uba said he did not level any allegation against Governor Ohakim but wanted him to clarify some issues on how much was spent on the Okigwe regional water scheme and other projects budgeted for in 2007, 2008, 2009, but were yet to be executed.

Uba said he would only appear when his security is guaranteed.

He claimed that he had already communicated the conditions to the House.

He advised the Assembly not to be in a hurry to wind up its investigation as the issues were important.