Okorocha’s kinsmen urge Ihedioha to probe ex-governor

The kinsmen of immediate past governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha have called on the state Governor Emeka Ihedioha to probe and prosecute him without further delay.

The group under the aegis of Orlu Elders Council in a three-page address read by the Chairman of the Council, Prof. Francis Dike (SAN) during a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor of the state, Gerald Irona, accused the former governor of leaving a legacy of garnishee orders and indescribable looting of the state treasury.

The group lauded the state House of Assembly and attorney general of the state for taking steps towards adopting the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in the state, describing it as capable of improving the course of criminal justice in Imo state.

They used the occasion to urge the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 elections, Senator Hope Uzodimma to end his litigation against Gov. Ihedioha, in the interest of the state.

“For eight years, nowhere in Imo state did we see billboards of client- government of Imo state, contractor Y or X contractors.

Everything was done at shameless quotation of money by Okorocha and his family members, acting as alter ego of Imo state.

“Today, billboards are seen at construction sites. This government should be ready for probe when it leaves and that is why we ask for probe, prosecution and sentence if found guilty for Okorocha and his running dogs.

“We are aware of thousands of garnishee orders bequeathed to this administration as legacy by the shameless past government. Let Rochas say to Imo state that there are no garnishee orders when he left government.

“Let him deny that his administration operated over 260 bank accounts which we know were conduit pipes for looting Imo state. Congratulations for arresting this by instituting the Treasury Single Account (TSA) within 30 days.”

“We applaud the attorney general and members of Imo state House of Assembly under the speakership of Chijioke for the domestication of the Criminal Justice Act and urge that it should be passed as a matter of urgency.

“We are of the firm belief that it will give more muscle to the ministry of justice to file charges against any and all persons not under immunity for criminal acts perpetrated in Imo state against Imo people, and by extension those who aided and abetted and those who benefited from receiving stolen property..

“We take this opportunity to applaud our great son, Hope Uzodimma for the indefatigable work done in APC and say that it is time to sheath the sword and give and accept the olive branch so that Imo state, which now ranks between 32 and 34 in development in Nigeria can assume her pride of place in Nigeria,” Prof. Dike said.

Responding, Deputy Governor Irona, commended the elders for rising to the challenge by speaking out on issues concerning the state.

He used the occasion to explain certain policies and programmes of the present administration in the state, assuring the delegation that the administration of Gov. Ihedioha will not fail Imo people.

“I am glad that Orlu elders have risen to the challenge. It is true that we met a decayed Imo. Imo is in a very deplorable condition. We have decayed infrastructure. We are operating in a make-shift office.

“They stole everything before leaving. Those of us from Orlu zone in this government will show that Okorocha’s actions are not part of the character of Orlu people.

“At the end of our administration, we will show Imo people that we were ready for governance.

The first thing we are doing is to restore public confidence in government. We have set up a public procurement system, aimed at ensuring that there is a robust procurement process in Imo state.

We shall live by example and we will remain accountable to people of the state,” he assured.

Those in attendance at the meeting were former Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Douglas Acholonu, former Vice Chancellor of Imo state University, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, Prof. I.C. Okonkwo, Chief M.O.Obioha, Igwe E. Obiako, Chief Emma Izuegbu and other prominent sons and daughters of Orlu.