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Tag: Okorocha

  • We recovered N7.9bn stolen by Rochas Okorocha – EFCC

    We recovered N7.9bn stolen by Rochas Okorocha – EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, said N7.9bn belonging to Imo was seized from the former governor of Imo State and Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Rochas Okorocha.

    The Zonal Head of the commission, Usman Imam, made this known at the zonal office in Port Harcourt, Rivers.

    Imam, who said Okorocha should be ready for his days in court, added that the commission returned over N5.7bn to various administrations in Imo to pay salaries and pensions of workers.

    He said: “I started the Imo state case in Enugu and upon my deployment to this zone, the investigations of corruption allegations against the former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, was transferred from the Enugu zone to Port Harcourt for further investigations.

    “Within the period, the commission succeeded in freezing about in different accounts. All the monies that were released to Imo State government were from the N7.9bn recovered from Okorocha. The monies were released in batches.

    “N2.7bn was released in March for salaries. In the PDP government of Emeka Ihedioha, excess of N2.5bn upon series of writings and our insistence of monitoring it was released to pay salaries and pensions because they were monies recovered from the state so it has to go back to the state.

    “Then the government of Emeka left and this government came, we had a remnant of the money in excess of N2bn. We were able to release N514milion just last month because excess of about N1.8bn is encumbered with a court process. Contractors went to court and targeted the funds. The process is lingering. They still have excess of N1.8bn that is not released”.

    Apart from the money recovered, Imam said the senator’s assets identified in Imo and Abuja were seized by the commission.

    He said the commission filed a court process for interim forfeiture of the assets confiscated from Okorocha.

    He said: “The investigation has got to an advanced stage and we are expecting that in conclusion, we are going to arraign the former governor.

    “It is in the course of investigations that we targeted his assets. Some are in Imo, Owerri and some are in Abuja. We marked these properties in Abuja and we have filed court processes for interim forfeiture of these assets. The target is to conclude the investigations and he will have his day in court”.

    Imam explained that since he assumed the leadership of the zone in January, the commission has recovered N291.8million, 847,983 US Dollars, 390 pounds, 10,900 Euros, and 500 CFA.

    He said the commission also froze over N1.1bn in the accounts of Bluekey Technologies allegedly operating a ponzi scheme and defrauding over 8,926 victims of over N4.4bn.

    He said the EFFCC further secured interim forfeiture of 96 trucks, vessels, and barges while 226 drums of automotive gas oil and 1million litres of suspected crude oil were finally forfeited to the Federal Government.

    Imam explained that the zone received 441 petitions, successfully investigated 262 with 159 awaiting legal advice and 20 others charged to court.

    On the challenges of the commission, he said: “Fighting corruption comes with its peculiar challenges. The corrupt are not going to fold their hands while you retrieve what they had stolen. They would fight back.

    “This has come in the form of sponsored media attacks. A blogger, one Dikeocha Chukwuebuka, who caused the zone serious blushes by posting fake pictures of purported overcrowded EFCC cell was arrested and currently under prosecution.

    “Other challenges are non-cooperation,m and delayed response to this commission’s enquiries by some agencies; logistic challenge in investigating oil bunkering cases and inadequate office accommodation for staff”.

    “In spite of the challenges, the zone remains committed to actualizing the mandate of the commission, which is to eradicate corruption in Nigeria”.

  • Okorocha, Ihedioha, others edged out as Uzodinma abolishes payment of pensions to ex-governors, speakers in Imo

    Okorocha, Ihedioha, others edged out as Uzodinma abolishes payment of pensions to ex-governors, speakers in Imo

    Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo has assented to a bill repealing the law that created pension allowances and gratuities for former governors, deputy governors, assembly speakers, and deputy speakers.

    Signing the bill into law in Owerri on Friday, the governor noted that the erstwhile law runs contrary to the 1999 constitution as amended, which stipulates that a pensioner must have worked for at least 10 years and must be up to 45 years of age.

    He regretted a situation where some of the beneficiaries of such payments also get a huge amount of money as salaries and allowances in other positions they occupied such as serving as senators or members of the House of Representatives.

    “Apart from the inconsistency of such a law to the provisions of the grund norm, which is the Constitution of 1999 (as amended), this has led for very long time precedence that does not encourage diligence and prudence in service delivery,” the governor said.

    He, however thanked the State House of Assembly for rising to the occasion and embracing totally the desire of the government to strengthen the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base of the state.

    He assured the people of the state of his commitment and desire to grow an economy that will stand the test of time.

    On his part, Speaker of the Imo House of Assembly, Chiji Collins, said that the house of assembly presented two bills for the governor’s assent: the Bill on the Imo State University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and Bill on the Repeal of Pensions and Gratuity.

    He said that the Bill on Pensions and Gratuity has long been repealed in many states of the federation when it was discovered to run contrary to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    Present at the signing of the bill into law was the Dep. Gov. Prof. Placid Njoku; the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Amara Iwuanyanwu; the Majority Leader, Uche Ogbuagu, and other members of the House, as well as some members of the State’s Expanded Executive Council.

  • Imo: I never said I’ll probe Okorocha, others – Uzodinma

    Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has debunked rumours making rounds in the state that he planned to probe his predecessors.

    Governor Uzodinma disclosed this after inspecting some structures at the government house in Owerri.

    The Governor said even though the business of governance includes probing and accountability, his directive to the Accountant-General of the state and the officials of the civil service to furnish him with the financial statement of the state may have been misconstrued.

    “When I asked for a status report from all the ministries, many people misunderstood it or assumed that the purpose of calling for that information is because I want to probe; I never said that I was going to probe anybody.

    “The business of governance involves probing if need be; so I needed that information because there is no official handover from anybody, and for me to start the work, I need to know what is on the ground.”

     

    He said since there’s been no proper handover from the immediate past government, if during an investigation and for proper accountability there’s need to call on anyone for Questioning as it deems fit, the Government will not hesitate to do so, but he hasn’t made any pronouncement of probing anyone. He urges the media to get accurate facts and statements before publishing.

    “We will start and in the course of doing our business, if there are things that require investigation, we will subject them to an investigation. My business here is to govern the people, and in the process, if there is any need for any particular issue to be investigated or probed I will do that, but let nobody begin to speak for me because I have not said that yet.”

    On the state of infrastructure in the government house, he said the government will begin renovation as soon as possible to enable the business of governance kick start in earnest.

  • ‘I’m not against being probed’ — Okorocha replies Uzodinma

    ‘I’m not against being probed’ — Okorocha replies Uzodinma

    Ex-governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, on Thursday said he has no reservations to being probed.

    Okorocha was reacting to the order by Hope Uzodinma, his successor, that the financial status of the state from May 2010 be sent to him.

    Uzodinma, who gave the order on Wednesday while delivering his inaugural speech, gave the accountant-general of the state a four-day deadline to submit the report to him.

    He also ordered all the permanent secretaries of all the ministries in the state to forward to him the status of all the contracts awarded, while halting the payment for all ongoing contracts.

    The former governors who ruled the state within the time span are Ikedi Ohakim (2007-2011), Okorocha (2011-2019) and Emeka Ihedioha (May 2019-Jan 2020).

    “My government shall be anchored on reconstruction, rehabilitation and recovery. Every Imo person shall have a say in my government,” Uzodinma had said.

    “My doors are wide open. I forgive those who conspired to rob me of my hard-earned mandate. Let us work hard to make Imo the pride of Nigeria.

    “I hereby direct the Accountant General of the State to within four days forward to me the comprehensive financial status of the State from May 2010 till date.

    “I also direct the Permanent Secretaries of all the Ministries to within the same period forward the status of the contracts awarded within the time frame. Payment of all ongoing contracts is hereby stopped.”

    But Okorocha, in a tweet on Thursday, said he is okay with being probed.

    He added that however, what he does not agree with it is abuse of power.

    “Let me reiterate that I have nothing against being probed,” Okorocha said.

    “What I did not agree with was the attempt to misuse power to harass and intimidate me or any of my supporters.”

  • No more war! Oshiomhole, Okorocha, Uzodinma reunite, celebrate Supreme Court victory [Video]

    No more war! Oshiomhole, Okorocha, Uzodinma reunite, celebrate Supreme Court victory [Video]

    The victory of Hope Uzodinma at the Supreme Court has reunited the new Imo state governor with his political enemy, Rochas Okorocha, and the national chairman of the ruling party, Adams Oshiomhole.

    The APC primaries that produced Uzodinma as the candidate of the party had torn the Imo state chapter of the party apart.

    The former Imo state governor, Okorocha, had wanted his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, to succeed him as the next governor of the state.

    Following Nwosu’s failure to secure the party’s ticket, Okorocha withdrew his support for the APC threw his weight behind Nwosu who had crossed to the Action Alliance (AA) to contest the election as its flagbearer.
    Okorocha who is now representing Imo West at the Senate also tacked Oshiomhole then, accusing him of causing the crisis that ensued from the party’s primaries.

    However, after months of legal battle, the Supreme Court has declared Uzodinma as the duly elected governor and sacked Emeka Ihedioha.

    In a recent video making the rounds on the internet, the three key APC stakeholders were seen jubilating and rejoicing together…

    Watch video:

  • Uzodinma orders probe of Ex-govs Ohakim, Okorocha, Ihedioha

    Uzodinma orders probe of Ex-govs Ohakim, Okorocha, Ihedioha

    Senator Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was on Tuesday declared Imo State governor-elect by the Supreme Court, took the oath of office during a simple ceremony at the Heroes Square in Owerri, the state capital.

    He arrived at the venue from Abuja with his wife, children and his running mate, Prof. Placidius Njoku, at 7.15 pm

    Four minutes after, he mounted the podium where Chief Judge Justice Paschal Nnadi, administered the oaths of office and allegiance on him.

    The apex court, in its judgment directed Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, to vacate office immediately.

    In his maiden address, Uzodinma announced his intention to look into the accounts and contracts awarded from May 29, 2010 till date.

    The period covers the tenures of Chief Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Rochas Okorocha and the short-lived tenure of the immediate governor, Emeka Ihedioha

    Uzodinma directed the Accountant-General to forward to his office all financial transactions between May 29, 2010 till date within four working days.

    The governor also asked permanent secretaries to forward to his office, all contracts awarded and their statuses within the same period.

    Ohakim, who was the Accord Party candidate in the same election, served as governor between 2007 and 2011.

    Although Okorocha did not vie in the election, having served out his two tenures, he openly supported his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu,of the Action Alliance.

    Nwosu’s case was one of the Imo cases listed for hearing by the Supreme Court before he made a U-turn by withdrawing it a few hours before the judgment.

    Uzodinma has also directed the suspension of all payments and treasury transactions by financial institutions managing the state’s accounts.

    Before the new governor arrived from Abuja where he was issued Certificate of Return by INEC, he, through his Campaign Organisation, asked the financial institutions to place a lid on the accounts.

    Uzodinma said at the ceremony that he felt highly fulfilled that justice had at last been served,. He described his Supreme Court victory as divine.

    The governor commended the judiciary for standing up for the truth in spite of the technicalities employed by the lower courts to deny him victory.

    Uzodinma, who said he had forgiven those who conspired to deny him victory, promised to create an environment of prosperity in the state. He also urged his opponents to join him in rebuilding the state.

    The personalities present at the event included APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Rochas Okorocha and Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka.

    Mbaka, a Catholic priest and founder of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu, rightly predicted that Uzodinma would displace Ihedioha as governor.

  • Supreme Court ruling: Okorocha speaks on Ihedioha’s misfortune, Uzodinma’s victory

    Supreme Court ruling: Okorocha speaks on Ihedioha’s misfortune, Uzodinma’s victory

    A former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has assured the new governor-elect of the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, of his “unflinching support”.

    Supreme Court on Tuesday declared Uzodinma as the duly elected governor of the state.

    Okorocha in a statement issued by his media aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, shortly after the apex court pronounced Uzodinma the winner, pledged to support the new governor of the state.

    Okorocha, who now represents Imo West Senatorial District at the Senate, said that Uzodinma’s emergence was a good omen for the All Progressives Congress.

    He urged the people to support the new governor to succeed.

    The statement said, “The former governor of the state and senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has congratulated Senator Hope Uzodinma over his victory at the Supreme Court which declared him the new governor of the state.

    “Owelle Okorocha also congratulated the APC members in Imo for the victory. He called on all hands to be on deck for the support of the new governor. Owelle Okorocha assured Senator Uzodinma of his unflinching support.”

  • Okorocha’s son-in-law, Nwosu returns to APC

    The governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) during the 2019 general election in Imo State, Mr Uche Nwosu, has returned to his former party, the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Nwosu who addressed reporters at the Imo airport shortly after his arrival from Abuja at the weekend maintained that the Supreme Court, which voided his petition for double nomination, has actually affirmed that he is still a member of APC.

    “The Supreme Court has said all, it said I am the candidate of APC, what it means is that I’m the candidate of APC even though another person was foisted on APC. That aside, I have forgiven everybody, no matter what they have done, from the National Chairman to Gulak, to those in the state; what we need is to move ahead, we are brothers and sisters, there must be peace,” Nwosu said.

    Nwosu, who looked refreshed, added: “You can only have one governor in a state and you can only have one final court and that is the Supreme Court – we have to accept it. For me, politics is not a do-or-die affair, it’s give-and-take. The Supreme Court has given its judgement, either good or bad, I have accepted it.

    “What matters is Imo State. I’ve said in my statement, whoever wins at the Supreme Court, I will give my support, be it Emeka Ihedioha, Araraume or Uzodinma I will support. But in supporting if you do well, I will praise; if you don’t, we would criticise you,” Nwosu stated.

    Speaking on his next move after the judgment, Nwosu said: “I have no regret at all. It is not my first time of running for a political position. I’m a politician and a town planner by profession. For now, politics is over, pending when there would be another election. I am still a young man and have age to my advantage.”

  • JUST IN: APC lifts suspension on Akeredolu, Okorocha, Amosun, others

    JUST IN: APC lifts suspension on Akeredolu, Okorocha, Amosun, others

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lifted the suspension on Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Ibikunle Amosun, Rochas Okorocha, Osita Okechukwu and Pastor Usani Uguru Usani.

    A statement issued by the party said the move was in line with the party’s deliberate policy of fairness and actions targeted at ensuring harmony within the party across the country.

    “Through the suspension, our party has shown the capacity and willingness to implement its own rules and enforce discipline when there is an infraction. We have also shown that no individual is above discipline and that the party would always apply equity and justice in the day to day running of the party.

    “We hope the concerned party members will seize this opportunity to fully reconcile themselves with their ward, local government, and state party structures, key into the party activities, and continue to make their own contributions to the growth and stability of the party,” the statement said.

    The party urged them to also take steps to reconcile with groups and individuals that were important to ensuring a lasting solution to any conflict that may exist in their respective states.

  • Okorocha forfeits state-of-the art hospital to FG

    Okorocha forfeits state-of-the art hospital to FG

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC secured another victory Friday in its campaign against grand corruption in public service as Justice T.G Ringin of a Federal High Court sitting in Owerri, ordered the final forfeiture of a hospital linked to former governor Rochas Okorocha.

    Dews of Hope Hospital, located in the heart of Imo capital of Owerri Dews of Hope Hospital is a N1.5 Billion state-of-the-art 200-bed hospital, whose ownership was denied by a former aide to Okorocha.

    The forfeiture came a day after the commission secured the conviction and sentencing of former governor Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State(1999-2007) for money laundering and corruption.

    The Commission had on August 22, 2019 secured the interim forfeiture of the Owerri hospital from a vacation Judge, Justice A. T Mohammed of Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.

    The application for interim forfeiture was triggered by evidence that the facility may have been acquired through proceeds of illicit activities, as funds from Government House, Owerri were traced to the hospital.

    The uncompleted structures in the hospital

    The Commission’s investigation revealed that Dr. Paschal Obi, former Permanent Secretary and Principal Secretary to then Governor Okorocha, now a serving member in the Senate, was a signatory to the accounts.

    However, Obi, like members of the board of the hospital, vehemently denied ownership of the medical facility.

    The managing director of the hospital on invitation, could not also explain how the hospital was funded.

    These developments led the Commission to file for the forfeiture of the property on July 25, 2019 under Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud,and Other Related Offences Act 2006.

    In granting the request for the interim forfeiture of the property, the court ordered the anti-graft agency to publish the Order in a national newspaper, which was accordingly complied with in the Nation Newspaper of August 30, 2019 and Leadership Newspaper of September 3,2019 respectively, asking interested parties to show cause why the property should not be forfeited to the federal government within fourteen days from the dates of the publications.

    Upon the expiration of the fourteen day notice and with no one showing interest in the hospital, the Commission filed for the final forfeiture of the facility.

    The hospital located at the heart of Owerri metropolis, had an adjoining staff and doctor’s quarters.