POLICE QUESTION OKOROCHA OVER ENTRY INTO GOVT SEALED ESTATE

Reporter : CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Imo State Police Command says a former Governor of the state and the representative of Imo West Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Chief Rochas Okorocha, was invited to the station for questioning over his alleged violent entry into the premises of an estate in Owerri that was sealed by the state government last Friday.

Addressing journalists in Owerri, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Orlando Ikeokwu, said the former Governor allegedly led some people into the estate belonging to his family, which was sealed by the state government.

He said the action generated unrest among agents of the government and some youths of the state who were attracted to the scene.

Mr. Ikeokwu explained that following a distress call the command moved into the area to forestall breakdown of law, noting that the former Governor was thereafter invited to the command headquarters to explain reasons behind his action.

Mr. Ikeokwu said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nasiru Mohammed, had ordered a full scale investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile the Special Adviser on Media to the former governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, had accused the state government of using thugs and security agents to attack his principal.

Mr. Onwuemodo in a statement alleged that all the vehicles on the convoy of Senator Okorocha were also damaged, noting that the former governor was in the company of his personal aides during the incident.

The Imo State Hovernment had sealed the estate following a report of a judicial panel of enquiry, which faulted the citing of the estate and empowered the government to take ownership of the property.

Similarly, the government had two weeks ago announced the takeover of a private university allegedly owned by the former governor.