Okorocha Under Fire Over Forceful Acquisition of Land

A report by a panel on the recovery of government assets set up by the Imo state government has accused a Former Governor, Rochas Okorocha of forcefully acquiring lands belonging to the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE).

The panel’s report was signed by the Chairman of the committee, Prof Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe and Secretary-General, B F Anyanwu. They also noted that as a sitting governor, Okorocha, “used brute force including the military and hoodlums to snatch the land from the College after which he allocated or sold same to his top associates.”

Moreso, they named Dr Uzoma Anwuka and Kingsley Uju, Okorocha’s in-laws as beneficiaries in the report. 

The report reads in part, “Apart from Okorocha”s in-laws, a former speaker, Chief Acho Ihim, Charles Orie, Prince Charles Amadi and Ugochukwu Hillary also benefited from the illegal acquisition.”

Okorocha demolishes 101 buildings

The Committee which submitted its report to the incumbent Governor, Hope Uzodinma also revealed that Okorocha ordered the demolition of 101 buildings belonging to staff of the college and thereafter confiscated their property.

Giving recommendations to Governor Uzodinma on Tuesday, the committee said the massive expanse of land located at the Shell Camp area of the state should be confiscated from Okorocha and his associates within six months and same handed over to the state-owned institution.

It said, “AIFCE should take full possession of the vacated land and property immediately upon recovery while the Commissioner for Lands and OCDA should recover the land within six months.” 

They also urged the State Executive Council “to direct the recovery of all the lands belonging to AIFCE, which are now illegally in the hands of individuals and institutions.”

What to know

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had earlier charged Okorocha with 17 counts relating to the laundering of N2.9 billion in public funds while he was the governor of Imo State.

Reacting to the charge, said the fraud allegations by the commission on behalf of the Federal Government represented a flagrant abuse of the legal system and a purposeful abuse of prosecutorial discretion.