Enugu Assembly moves to probe ex-government Chime

The Enugu State House of Assembly is to probe the internally generated revenue (IGR) accruable to the state during the reign of former Governor Sulivan Chime.The move is already being viewed in certain quarters as a strain in relationship between Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his predecessor.

At its sitting yesterday, the House resolved to inquire into the activities of the state’s Board of Internal Revenue manned by the ex-governor’s brother, Felix Chime, to ascertain the due revenue to the state from 2008 to June 2016.

Also to be investigated are all principal officers and board members who held sway during the period under review.The Guardian gathered that the decision to probe the finances under Chime followed a series of petitions, alleging misappropriation and misapplication of public funds during the period.

Consequently, the Speaker, Uchenna Ubosi, set up a seven-man committee headed by Sunday Ude Okoye, member representing Awgu North, to investigate the allegation and report back to the House within 30 days.

Other members of the panel include Philip Nnamani, Christian Nwamba, Obinna Okenwa, Nkechi Omeje-Ogbu, Ezenta Ezeani and John Ukuta.Prior to the empanelling, the representative of Enugu South Urban constituency, Obinna Okenwa, had noted that the alleged misappropriation worsened the economic situation of the state, urging the House, to as a matter of urgency, probe the activities of the board with a view to recovering the alleged stolen funds.