Ikpeazu, however, assured all Abia citizens, that the current salaries of civil servants will be paid despite the court order
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has slammed the Governor-elect of the state, Alex Otti for freezing the state’s bank accounts through a court order.
He, however, assured his government has commenced the payment of current salaries to civil servants in the state, despite a court order.
This was made known by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Eze Chikamnayo, in a recent statement made available to the press.
Chikamnayo, who alleged that Alex Otti was responsible for the development, added that the Okezie Ikpeazu administration would not fail to pay the salaries of over 29,000 workers before leaving.
He described the freezing of Abia State accounts as an attempt to take over the State by force and without respect to constituted authorities.
“Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, having dutifully met his obligation to over 29,000 workers out of 31,000 in the last seven years and more, does not have any desire or reason not to do the same in the only two months left of his administration.
“Happily, despite the primitive draconian tactics of the confused and presumptuous Labour Party mob, the government has commenced the payment of current salaries, so nothing can be more deceitful than this kind of chicanery”, the statement said.
ALSO READ: Sanwo-Olu’s spokesman, Akosile, says Gov ready to do more during 2nd term
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, last week, granted an ex parte order freezing all the monies of Abia State government domiciled in about 27 banks.
The Order was granted by Justice Bello Kawu in an ex parte motion No. M/6686/2023, pending the determination of the motion.
The request was filed by Mr Uche Eni against the Accountant-General of Abia State and the Commissioner for Finance.
Other respondents are the Accountant General of the Federation, Federation Account Allocation Mobilization Committee, FAAC, and 21 financial institutions.
Alex Otti has so far denied being the brain behind the court order, insisting he does not even know the person who filed the case.
