Governor Hope Uzodimma has put on the heat on former Governor of the State, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
Uzodimma has maintained his resolve to probe the former Governor over properties recommended for seizure and forfeiture by a Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Lands and other Related Matters.
The latest heat on the Senator is emanating from the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly, OPOCA, which has signaled it’s intent to recall the former Governor from the Senate.
Okorocha represents Imo West senatorial district at the senate.
OPOCA is a socio political organization, which champions the political interests of Orlu zone, though its membership is dominated by loyalists of the Governor.
Led by Mr. Rex Anunobi, a Commissioner of Transport in Uzodimma’s government, the group said it has received endorsement from traditional rulers and stakeholders in Orlu zone who have urged it to begin the process of recalling Senator Rochas Okorocha.
OPOCA had last week said said it will recall the Senator if he fails to apologize to Governor Hope Uzodimma within 48 hours it made the threat.
Okorocha never complied with the threat order, as pressure continues to mount on the Imo West Senator who has been in the eye of the storm after he unsealed Royal Palm Estate, a property linked to his wife.
Aside OPOCA’s plans to recall the Senator, Governor Hope Uzodimma has continued to mobilize full blown support in his bid to recover all the former Governor allegedly took from the State.
He told some stakeholders at a meeting at the weekend that his administration is bent on probing the former Governor, and Imo State is on the verge of being recovered from “interlopers and buccaneers”, who ripped the State in the past eight years.
Among those present at the meeting include former Governor of the State, Ikedi Ohakim, three former deputy governors in the State, Ebere Udeagu, Ada Okwuonu, and Jude Agbaso.
Others include Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Central Africa Republic, CAR, Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Hilary Opara, among many others.
The stakeholders in their resolution mandated the Uzodimma administration to recover every property, money or wealth stolen by any person no matter how highly placed.
Before the stakeholders meeting, Justice Fred Njemanze of the State High Court sitting in Owerri, granted an order sought by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Louis Alozie, for interim forfeiture of some properties linked to the former Governor.
They include:Eastern Palm University, Ogboko, Royal Palm Estate, IBC Staff quarters illegally acquired by Okorocha for the purpose of building Rochas College Foundation, Magistrate Quarters, Orlu Road illegally converted for private use for Kilimanjaro Eatery.
Others are Plot B2 Otammiri South Extension layout given to the State Ministry of Women Affairs for the set up of a Skills acquisition centre for women which was illegally acquired for the construction of All in All Stall owned by Okorocha’s wife, and many others.