Abia Assembly Summons Two Officials Over Publication

The Abia State Commissioner for
Information and Strategy, Dr Eze Chikamnayo and the Chief of Staff to the
governor, Mr Cosmos Ndukwe, have appeared before the state Assembly for alleged
negative media reports.

The duo was invited to explain their
roles in an alleged scandalous publication in a news magazine which portrayed
Chikamnayo as a fraudulent and reckless government official.

The State Security Services (SSS) had
earlier detained an Umuahia-based vendor, Mr Victor Onukire (alias Vimo) in
connection with the circulation of the magazine.

A statement from Mr Martins Azubuike,
the member representing Isiala Ngwa South, also invited one Uche Aja, the
nominee for the Chairman of the transition committee in Ukwa East council, and
Chika Ekpe, the Editor of Details Magazine, to appear before the Assembly.

Mr Chidiebere Nwoke, the Chairman of the
ad hoc committee handling the investigation, disallowed newsmen from covering
the session, saying press coverage was not required at the commencement stage.

“This is an investigation by members of
Abia House of Assembly. We do not want the press from the first day of this
meeting.

“If at this starting stage the press
begins to write, the publication might affect our investigations,’’ he said.

The four-man committee includes Mr Mezie
Nwaubani (PDP-Ukwa West), Mba Ukaha (PDP-Ohafia South) and Martins Azubuike
(PDP-Isiala Ngwa South) who will serve as the secretary.

Some members of the Abia Patriotic Forum, a non-governmental
organisation, had petitioned the lawmakers over the publication.