Imo panel indicts ex-gov Okorocha of land grab
By Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
The Committee set up by Imo State Government for the recovery of land belonging to Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE), has indicted former Governor Rochas Okorocha of forcefully dispossessing the College of its land.
Submitting a report signed by the Chairman, Prof Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe; and the Secretary, Barr. B. F Anyanwu, to Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Committee recommended the recovery of the Shell Camp land from Okorocha within six months.
The committee said that Certificate of Occupancy should be issued to the College.
The report noted that the former Governor who intimidated the Management of the College, took over their land and allocated or sold the same to his top associates.
It regretted that the former Governor ordered the demolition of 101 buildings belonging to staff of the College and thereafter, confiscated their property.
Ikengaonline reports that a number of landed property and structures acquired by Okorocha have been under investigation since he left office in 2015.
The Committee, therefore, advised those who benefited from the land to vacate it.
It urged the Imo 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.”
“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,” the committee recommended.
It further recommended that AIFCE should pay the agreed compensation to Orji indigenes who are the original owners of the land while the Army should vacate the shanties they erected in the land and finally move to Obinze.
The report also indicted two of Governor Okorocha’s in-laws, Dr Uzoma Anwuka and Hon Kingsley Uju; former Speaker, Chief Acho Ihim; Chief Charles Orie, Prince Charles Amadi and Chief Ugochukwu Hillary as some of the beneficiaries of the illegal acquisition.
Responding, Governor Uzodimma, thanked the Committee for doing a thorough job and promised that the State Government would take all necessary steps in compliance with due process to implement the committee’s recommendations.
