Date Published: 07/31/10

Abia Deputy Governor, Akomas, resigns

Embattled Abia State Deputy Governor, Comrade Chris Akomas, has resigned.

Pointblanknews.com learnt that Akomas resigned earlier today. But his resignation was rejected by Governor Theodore Orji who said he was yet to receive his resignation in writing.

The seven man impeachment panel was expected to submit its report on Monday. Pointblanknews.com also learnt that Akomas decided to throw in the towel because it was a fait accompli for him, as the panel had already prounounced him guilty from the outset.

Aside from that, it was gathered that Orji would not have been able to act on any official notice of resignation since it is a weekend.

As at press time,it was however not clear how Akomas conveyed his decision to step aside to the Governor.

Akomas had been facing an impeachment panel over allegations of abuse of office. The six point allegation include alleged conversion of N4.5 million of public funds into his personal account at the Umahia branch of the Intercontinental Bank Plc. The fund was part of the N57 million earmarked for the National Cocoa Day in February 2010.

Akomas who had denied the allegations, had gone to an Umahia High Court to seek an interim injunction restraining the lawmakers from going ahead with his impeachment until the substantive suit was determined.

Justice A.U Kalu had granted the order, but the panel set up by the Chief Judge went ahead. They had told Akomas that the deliberations would go on even if he refused to appear.

Details coming