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Imo ex-governor Rochas Okorocha arrested, detained
BY NDUBUISI UWAEZU
There was pandemonium on Akachi Road, Owerri, capital of Imo State, as security agents battled with supporters of former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, for the possession of a real estate property, Royal Palm Estate.
The property said to belong to Okorocha’s wife, Nkechi, had been sealed on the orders of the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, based on the findings of a government panel on the recovery of government’s property.
Okorocha reportedly stormed the facility in annoyance on Sunday, demanding to be allowed in but the security personnel on ground refused to open the gate.
The lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District on the platform of APC was said to have ordered his men, including armed security agents, to make way for him to enter the place and they forced the gates open.
READ: Rochas Okorocha, wife, daughter, to forfeit assets to EFCC
In the process, Okorocha’s men allegedly destroyed vehicles and injured the security guards at the gate into the estate.
Daily Trust reports that shortly after, two aides of Governor Uzodimma, identified as Chinasa Nwaneri and Eric Uwakwe, arrived the estate with policemen who arrested the senator after overpowering his men on ground.
Also arrested were Ijeoma Igboanusi, a deputy chief of staff when Okorocha was governor and Lasbrey Okafor-Anyanwu who was a commissioner in Okorocha’s government.
The Senator and those arrested along with him are currently being detained at the State’s Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Owerri.
Imo State Government said on Friday that it had sealed and recovered the Royal Spring Palm built on one of Imo State green verges against the lawful master plan of the State.
“This recovery was done following the directive of the Imo state gazette on the report of judicial Commission of enquiry on recovery of lands and other related matters. The Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, Hon. Ennyinna Onuegbu led a team of journalists to the recovered property and publicly sealed the premises,” the government had announced on its Twitter handle on Friday.