Ikwuano LG Chairman Nwaubani Faces ₦19m Refund Allegation, Shuns Probe Calls
“Fresh controversy has erupted in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State as a group of concerned citizens formally petitioned Governor Alex Otti, demanding an urgent investigation into alleged financial impropriety and administrative failures under the leadership of Chairman Dr Anthony Nwaubani.”
By Charity Uwakwe
Tension is mounting in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State following allegations of financial impropriety and poor leadership levelled against the Council Chairman, Dr Anthony Nwaubani.
In a public letter addressed to Governor Alex Otti, Mr Emmanuel Asiegbu, writing on behalf of the “Concerned Citizens of Ikwuano LGA,” called for an immediate and comprehensive probe into the council’s financial and administrative activities.
The group demanded:
A full forensic audit of Ikwuano LGA accounts
The constitution of an independent investigative panel to review all financial and administrative actions
Immediate restoration of transparent, stakeholder-driven governance
“Ikwuano cannot be run as a private estate.
Public office is a sacred trust, not a family inheritance. We appeal to Your Excellency to intervene decisively to prevent further erosion of local governance, 2027 in view,” the letter stated.
Despite the weight of the allegations, repeated attempts to obtain clarification from Dr Nwaubani and his office were unsuccessful, as inquiries were reportedly rebuffed.
₦19 MILLION REFUND ALLEGATION
In the petition titled “An Urgent Appeal: A Call To Save Ikwuano LGA – The Tragedy of Collapsing Leadership: A Case Study of Mayor Anthony Nwaubani,” the group alleged that the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had previously interrogated the chairman alongside the Head of Department, Works.
According to the petitioners, both officials were allegedly directed to refund approximately ₦19 million to the local government treasury over what was described as “pilfered monies.”
“This disturbing episode raises serious ethical and legal questions,” the group alleged, urging Governor Otti to institute an independent investigation.
REVENUE COLLECTION AND ACCOUNT OPERATION CLAIMS
Further allegations include claims that internally generated revenues (IGR), particularly from weekly markets in Ndoro, Oboro, Ariam-Usaka, and Awomukwu, are allegedly being collected through agents without proper accountability.
The group also accused the chairman of operating a private bank account on behalf of the “Abia Arise” political group without legislative approval. They further alleged that contractors seeking local government contracts were coerced into making kickback payments into the account to advance political interests.
The petitioners warned that “these allegations, if left unchecked, threaten not only the development of Ikwuano LGA but also the credibility of the reform-driven governance agenda championed by Governor Alex Otti.”
Community Leaders Raise Concerns
In a separate commentary titled “Call for Accountability from Mr Anthony Nwaubani,” Mr Isidore Onyekachi accused the chairman of failing to engage stakeholders and traditional rulers.
“To date, he has not convened any stakeholders’ meeting nor demonstrated visible commitment to addressing pressing issues within our local government,” he said.
Onyekachi further alleged that the chairman had avoided engagement with community structures, including traditional rulers in Ariam-Usaka and other parts of Ikwuano.
“Leadership is about presence, responsibility, and service — not distance and silence. We call on Mr Anthony Nwaubani to rise to the occasion, engage with the people, and act in the interest of Ikwuano. The community deserves transparency, inclusion, and action. We, the people, are watching — and we expect better,” he stated.
ALLOCATION RECORDS
Sources within the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation indicated that between January and August 2025, Ikwuano LGA reportedly received approximately ₦3.526 billion in federal allocations, with monthly disbursements ranging between ₦430 million and ₦550 million.
As of press time, Dr Nwaubani had yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
