By Anayo Okoli
Umuahia—ABIA State House of Assembly has explained why it rejected the appointment of Justice Ijeoma Offonri as the new Chief Judge of the state, saying most of its members did not know the woman and her record of practice.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Mr. Alwell Asiforo, who doubles as the chairman of the House Committee on Information, said, however, that a member of the House, a lawyer, who knew the judge very well raised objection to her appointment.

According to him, the member’s claim was merely supported by other lawyers in the House.
He said that on account of this, the House  took a unanimous resolution to reject the appointment.

Asiforo said those who knew her said she was not the best material for the state, but did not explain if it was in terms of intellectual disposition or conduct.

Denying that the decision was neither hasty nor political, Asiforo said the “the people who know her and by their assessment, said that she was not the best for the state.”

Meanwhile, the House has passed a second supplementary budget of about N3.6 billion for the state “to meet up with some current and on-going projects”.

It also extended to March 2011 the period for the implementation of 2010 budget.

According to Asiforo, the House also passed a resolution urging the state  government to wade into the incessant attack between the people of Akirikobu in Ukwa West, a border town with Akwa Ibom State, who were alleged to have on several occasions, encroached on the land belonging to Akirikobu.

Asiforo also disclosed that the House passed the Infrastructural Development Law which, according to him, will assist in generating revenue for the government as well as another resolution commending President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Theodore Orji for restoring security in the state.

The House also commended the military Joint Task Force for killing Obioma Nwankwo, a.k.a Osisikanakwu,  who together with his gang held the state, especially Aba, hostage with their criminal activities, including kidnapping.