Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Aides to Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State and his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha , have clashed again over the seizure of some properties belonging to the ex -governor by the state government .
However, Okorocha ’ s spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo , said Uzodinma would not win what he called an “ attrition ” war against the former governor
.
According to Onwuemeodo , the interim court injunction , ordering the forfeiture of Okorocha ’ s properties would not stand .
In a statement on Friday, Onwuemeodo said the court order issued by Justice Fred Njemanze of the state High Court was “ deceitful . ”
Onwuemeodo alleged that the jurist was deceived by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice , Cyprian Akaolisa , into granting the order .
He said , “ On Wednesday , February 24, 2021, the Imo State Government , with Chief Hope Uzodinma as Governor , through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice , Chief C. O . C, Akaolisa, deceived one of the most thorough and highly respected judges in the state judiciary, Hon Justice Fred Njemanze , into granting an interim order of forfeiture of the 10 properties they listed and owned by Senator Rochas Okorocha ’ s family .
“ Let us first and foremost describe the interim order of forfeiture as belated, an after-thought and deceitful . It has further exposed the double standard of what we have in Imo today as a state government and equally strengthened our consistent claim that what is happening in Imo is a clear case of vendetta , envy, hatred and conspiracy by the state government against Okorocha and his family. ”
Reacting, Uzodinma’ s Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, Modestus Nwamkpa, said Okorocha should stop provoking the people of Imo State .
He said , “ Okorocha and his people should stop provoking Imo people . He ruled for eight years here without respecting any court order .
“ It is an insult to assert that an erudite jurist like Justice Njemanze was deceived into granting the court order . ”
Okorocha had on Sunday alleged that Uzodinma attacked him with “ more than 1, 000 thugs . ”
The former governor and three of his political associates had been arrested by the state police command after government and security officials stormed the Royal Spring Palm Estate, Owerri , and unsealed it .
The estate was linked to Okorocha ’ s wife , Nkechi .
The state government said its action was in accordance with a report of a judicial panel set up by a former governor , Emeka Ihedioha , before he left office .
Meanwhile, the Imo State government said that emotional sentiments would not stop the state government from going on with the assets recovery fight.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy , Declan Emelumba, said there were evidences of how Okorocha allegedly diverted the property of the state.
He said , “ The state government is talking about Imo people’ s property appropriated by former governor Rochas Okorocha with evidence . If you steal someone ’ s property it does not make it yours.
“ So the government is talking of property stolen from the Imo people. The white paper is on sale at the office of the Secretary to the State Government . Interested members of the public should go there and purchase one.
“ A judicial commission of inquiry with a gazetted white paper has the force of law and it is recognised in our statute books. Imo people know that Okorocha and his family looted their patrimony out of greed .
They are resolved to recover them from them and no amount of white – washing or crying wolf will stop them from taking back what rightly belongs to them ”
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