February 4, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel | Investigative Report
Fresh scrutiny has trailed the Abia State Government’s 2026 approved budget following the revelation that over N210 million was earmarked for the purchase of one photocopier for the state’s Lagos Liaison Office.
A review of the N1.016 trillion 2026 Appropriation Act, signed into law by Governor Alex Otti in December 2025, shows that N210,831,142.00 was allocated specifically for the procurement of a photocopying machine.
The item appears under Total Capital Expenditure, within the Reform for Government and Governance programme of the Abia State Liaison Office, Lagos.
What has drawn public concern is the sharp contrast with the previous year’s allocation. In 2025, the same item was budgeted at just N2.5 million, meaning the 2026 provision represents an increase of over N208 million, with no official explanation provided by the government.
A photocopier is generally defined as a machine used to make quick and inexpensive copies of documents and images—raising questions about how such a device could justify a N210 million price tag.
Further analysis of the budget also reveals that N287 million was set aside under the Abia Policy Innovation Centre for publicity across social media and radio platforms.
This development comes against the backdrop of earlier reports highlighting spending patterns of the Otti administration. In 2023, the government reportedly spent N927 million within three months on refreshments, meals, honoraria, allowances, and welfare packages for officials.
During the same period, about N737.9 million was expended on the purchase of vehicles, though details regarding the number of vehicles and beneficiaries were not disclosed.
According to budget performance documents obtained by SUNTV Global Channel, between July and September 2023, the Abia State Government spent:
- N223.3 million on refreshments and meals
- N305.4 million on honoraria and sitting allowances
- N397.5 million on welfare packages
The documents also indicate spending of N362.8 million on trucks, N400.8 million on buses, and N252.4 million to run the Deputy Governor’s office within just three months.
In contrast, only N25 million was reportedly spent on the repair of public schools during the same period, despite widespread reports of dilapidated classrooms, leaking roofs, broken furniture, and decaying facilities across Abia State’s 17 local government areas.
Multiple reports and on-ground assessments suggest that many public primary and secondary schools remain in poor condition due to years of neglect, raising further questions about government spending priorities.
As public debate intensifies, critics are calling for greater transparency and accountability in budget implementation, particularly on capital projects whose costs appear grossly inflated.
