The Imo State Government under Senator Hope Uzodimma has declared its unflinching readiness in its efforts to recover properties stolen by the former governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
To that effect, the State Government said it has secured interim forfeiture order of assets belonging to Senator Okorocha and his family.
This was disclosed in an Imo State Public Enlightenment issued on Wednesday, according to an Order by a Judge, E.F. Njemanze, who presides over the case.
In the matter between the Attorney General of Imo State and Mrs Nkechi Rochas Okorocha, Incorporated Trustees of Rochas Foundation, and Senator Rochas Anayo Okorocha, the Court ordered that all the properties listed on the motion paper be in the interim forfeited to the Applicant, the Imo State Government.
The properties are as follows:
- Eastern Palm University, Ogboko.
- Royal Spring Palm Hotels & Apartments – Akachi Road, Owerri.
- Imo Broadcasting Corporation Staff Quarters, Orji illegally acquired for the purpose of Rochas Foundation College, Owerri.
- Magistrates Quarters Orlu Road / Cooperative Office / Girls Guide illegally converted to private use including Market Square, Kilimanjaro etc.
- Public building Plot 8/2 Otamiri South Extension Layout given to the Ministry of Women Affairs for establishing a skills acquisition centre for women illegally acquired for the benefit of Nneoma Okorocha All Install, Aba road, Owerri.
- Plot P5 Naze Residential Layout initially part of Primary School Management Board but now annexed to to All Install, Aba road belonging to Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha.
- All the properties contained at pages 226 to 272 of the Government White Paper annexed hereto as exhibit C pending the full implementation by the Government of Imo State of the recommendation of the Honourable Justice Florence Duruoha-Igwe Judicial Commission of inquiry into Land Administration in Imo State from June 2006 – May 2019, as per the White Paper which has been gazetted.
The Judge advised the Respondents and any other person or persons who feels that the properties should not be forfeited to Imo State Government as recommended by Exhibit C the White Paper to approach the court.
He said that such a person, inclusive of the Respondents, should come up to challenge the order and the White Paper by showing that it ought not to be made in the first place.
He also urged all the parties who are aggrieved to come up with appropriate and adequate reason why the order should be vacated.
A senior official of the Governor Uzodinma administration, when contacted, said that the interim forfeiture order of assets should be the least of Okorocha’s worries.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he informed ElombahNews that that with the dossier of evidences against him at the disposal of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he should be more worried for his freedom as the antigraft agency may have concluded plans to jail him.