It seems all may not have been heard about the recent controversial power tussle between Governor of Imo State, Gov. Hope Uzodinma and his predecessor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, former governor of the state, as the governor may be visiting Okorocha with more asset seizures.
Sources close to the seat of power in the state reports that the governor with the support of President Muhammadu Buhari may be targeting additional 10 properties owned by Rochas Okorocha in the state to be impounded by the state government.
According to the source who pleaded to be anonymous, it is believed that most of the targeted properties owned by the Okorocha family may have been allegedly acquired using government funds or support.
Okorocha has a lot of corruption-ridden investments which he has to return to the state government. The government has started with the Eastern Palm University which was built with Imo State money but personalised by Okorocha.
“Others are over N40 billion siphoned through the unexecuted 27 general hospitals projects, the Nekede and Orji Mechanic Villages, the Adapalm in Ohaji which Okorocha said was leased out to investors and left in ruins till date, and the Westbrook Hotels which was built by Okorocha’s son-in-law. We also have the Woddi Wellness Centre owned by Okorocha’s wife, Nkechi, and built on the former Imo State Secretariat Annex.
“There is the multi-billion naira Farmers’ Market built by Geraldine, Okorocha’s sister, on a land belonging to the state. There is also the over 25-plot state land acquired by Okorocha’s in-law upon which El Freeda Foundation was built.
There is Extervia Mega Supermarket opposite Civic Centre Estate owned by Okorocha’s sister. There is the municipal Plaza owned by the Okorocha family, built on a land forcefully acquired from a civil servant; Spibat Estate most of whose land was forcefully taken from Mbieri people by Okorocha.
Then, there is N600 million diverted through the supposed renovation of the Imo State Secretariat. Recovery of the cardboard industry at Owerri-Ebeiri in Orlu; recovery of the N2 billion diverted through the construction of the completely worthless Akachi Tower,” another source added.
It will be recalled that the controversial senator had an episode when he attempted to recover one of his properties, (royal palm estate) which was seized by the state government.
This had led to the eventual arrest of the senator who was later released by the police a few hours later.
The embattled property is said to belong to the wife of Senator Rochas Okorocha.
He had said the seizure was in compliance with the directive of the Imo State gazette on the report of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry on the recovery of lands and other related matters.
In another shocking move, the state government had made plans to embark on the demolishing of a media house named “Reach FM’, which is allegedly owned by Okorocha’s daughter and son-in-law in Owerri, the state capital.
Would the recent moves of the Governor be seen as witch hunting or just normal administrative duties?
Is Governor Hope Uzodinma after Okorcha? Could this be drawn from the act of Okorocha to present his son-in-law as his successor? These questions still remain unanswered as more drama unfolds.
