Imo Gives Okorocha Ultimatum |The Source

By Charles Igbo

For former Governor of Imo State, and Senator Imo West, Rochas Okorocha, it is not just raining, it is pouring.

The heat is piling on him from left, right, and centre.

The serious altercation a couple of weeks ago between him and the Imo State Government for which the Police arrested and detained him is far from over.

Recall that the State Government had sealed, and seized the multi-million Naira Royal Palm Apartments and Hotel belonging to his wife, Nkechi, based on a White paper from the recommendations of a Judicial Panel on Land and Other Related Matters set up by the Government. The Panel was set up by former Governor, the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, but was inherited by current Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

One of recommendations of the Panel, among others, after the White paper had been gazzetted and accepted by the Executive Council of the State, was the seizure of the Royal Palm Hotel and Apartments.

The Government went ahead to seize and seal it. But Okorocha stormed the place, along with his aides and supporters,  broke the key to the gate, and unsealed it. He was picked-up by the Police, along with 14 others.

They were charged to Court, but even though others appeared in court, Okorocha did not. The 14 that appeared were given bail to the tune of N5million each, and one Surety, who must be a Traditional Ruler.

However, since then, Okorocha’s problems have been multiplying, all, consequences of the various   Judicial Panels and Commissions which looked into his eight-year tenure in office.

Last week, an Owerri High Court ordered an interim forfeiture of a number of landed properties belonging to the Okorochas. He was asked to give reasons why the forfeiture should not be final. At the time of writing this, it was not clear whether  the former Governor has filed anything in Court or not.

But the Imo State Government has given him till April 21, 2021, to present a proof of ownership of a large expanse of land in Orji, Owerri North LGA. The land was meant for the staff quarters of the old Imo Broadcasting  Corporation, IBC   but Okorocha, as Governor,  allegedly appropriated the land to himself, and converted it to his school, under the Rochas Okorocha Foundation.

Addressing the issue, the Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba said: “Government has given Okorocha till April 21, 2021, to come and show proof of ownership of the said property, or it will be finally forfeited to the State Government.”

While that is on, Okorocha will, also, very soon, face the problems which will emanate from the report of the  Judicial Commission of Inquiry On Contracts.

According to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Cyprain Akaolisa, the findings of this Commission is more scandalous than that of the Panel on Lands. Its implementation, the Commissioner said, will soon begin.

He said there were too many sharp practices in Contracts.  While some were inflated, others were given, and not executed at all, after money had been collected.

Akaolisa: “I am privy, and I can tell imo people that Okorocha removed from this State nothing less than N100billion of its resources, through contracts and other means.

“As the Attorney General of Imo State, I do not think that any sensible person, or any authority in Nigeria, will tell us to drop our actions, as it relates to Okorocha in the recovery of properties illegally acquired, which belong to the State but are in the hands of private citizens associated with Okorocha.”

Already two groups, Imo Elders Forum, and Imo stakeholders, cut across board, have given Uzodinma  the go ahead to recover all the properties and every kobo allegedly taken from the State by Okorocha, his family and cronies.

In his zone, Orlu, he is facing a recall from the Senate. At a recent meeting of Stake holders, the people resolved to recall him from the Senate, and have gradually started the process.

Earlier, they had given him a seven-day ultimatum to apologise to the State Government for invading and unsealing a legally sealed property, failing which a recall process would begin.

He called their bluff, just as he called the bluff of all the Judicial Commissions and Panels of Inquiries. He refused to appear, all the invitations extended to him notwithstanding.

Now, the heat is on.