A massive land grabbing scandal involving some former top officials of the Imo State government has sparked a huge investigation.
Some of these ex officials and their associates who fear that they may be implicated in the ongoing investigation are on the run.
Last year, former Commissioners for Lands and Housing , Noble Atulegwu and Lady Love Ineh, were arrested and detained by the police respectively over allegations of involvement in land grabbing and other illegal activities.
Although they were later released, further investigation into the matter continued.
Governor Hope Uzodimma is said to be taking a personal interest in the ongoing investigations to ascertain his past officials who intended to undermine his administration.
Ineh, once a trusted member of the 3R administration, alongside four others, are facing charges of theft and conspiracy brought before an Owerri Magistrate Court by the Police. She was granted bail.
A source revealed to this newspaper that the scale of land grabbing by some past appointees was so massive, a sad development which prompted the governor to appoint himself as Commissioner for Lands in his new cabinet which he constituted after he was sworn in for a second term.
According to the source in the know of the ongoing development the police is on top of the matter and the government will recover all illegally acquired lands and properties.
“The investigation is ongoing, and many more past officials are expected to be invited for questioning. Some of them and their associates who benefited from the land grabbing spree are now on the run.
“As I speak to you, a former commissioner who headed a lucrative ministry in the past is now under scrutiny and will soon be invited for questioning.
“This former Commissioner is alleged to have gone beyond involvement in land grabbing, he was involved in unauthorized sale of government stalls, shops and other serious infractions when he was in charge of his Ministry. He is among those said to be on the run
“There will be more shocking discoveries as time goes on” he said.
Last week, Chinasa Nwaneri, a former Special Adviser to Governor Uzodimma on Special Duties, alongside Emmanuel Ezeanochie, President of Imo State Amalgamated and Traders Association (ISAMATA), were arrested by operatives of the Imo State Police Command, Owerri
Henry Okoye, Police Public Relations Officer in a statement in Owerri, said the duo were arrested “over allegations of malicious damage, fraudulent activities, obtaining money under false pretense, and illegal use of government power/authority to harass, intimidate and frustrate the citizens of the State”
