There is tension among staff of the Abia State Ministry of Lands following invitations summoning some officials to appear before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, next week Tuesday over alleged money laundering tied to the Nsulu Airport Project.
A source familiar with the development told Newsbuka.com that some consultants involved in the airport project had earlier been invited and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegations of padding the compensation list with fictitious names.
The source added that fear has gripped the staff following fresh invitations to appear before the ICPC next Tuesday for questioning.
Another source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the matter is taking different dimensions as consultants and ministry staff linked to the alleged act of insubordination have been anxious, praying that it does not signal their dismissal from service.
The source alleged that at some point, the Commissioner of the Ministry was fingered in the matter but was cleared by an auditor who has been his friend for years.
Recall that there has been disagreement between the Abia State Government and the rightful owners of the land over compensation issues.
Members of the host community have also argued strongly that fictitious names dominate the list of those enumerated for compensation.
They have further questioned why names of Yoruba and Akwa Ibom indigenes, among others, should dominate the list, wondering how such persons came to own land in Nsulu.
But with the ICPC invitation, fear has gripped those involved in the alleged sharp practice, while it is believed that shady deals since the commencement of the project will be exposed.
Meanwhile, neither the Ministry nor the Abia State Government has issued any official response despite allegations that billions of naira have been siphoned since the Nsulu Airport Project commenced.
ICPC Summons Abia Lands Ministry Staff Over Alleged Fraud in Nsulu Airport Project
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