A Civil Society Organisation, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption, MIIVOC has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC to call the Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha to order over what it described as the massive looting of state resources under his watch.
MIIVOC Executive Director, Dr. Walter Duru, who made the call while addressing newsmen in Owerri at the weekend, warned that there would be consequences for the brazen stealing of property of the state.
“We are concerned over the irresponsible looting of property belonging to the people of Imo State. We initially took this with a pinch of the salt, until people were caught red handed on Thursday making away with valuables belonging to the Imo state government at the Heroes Square, Owerri.
“Allegedly seen at the venue of the looting was a younger brother to Governor Rochas Okorocha, Jude Okorocha. Trucks were being used to carry valuables such as Seats, building rods, Street lights, among others. But for the swift intervention of some eagled-eyed youth of the state, they would have succeeded in moving the materials to unknown destinations.
“We are reliably informed that a similar thing happened at the state-owned Imo International Conference Centre-IICC, where chairs, Air Conditioners and other valuables were also illegally removed.
“I recall that just two weeks ago, some vehicles belonging to the state government were said to have been recovered somewhere in Abia State, where they were allegedly auctioned.
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“This is not how low a government can go. If for any reason, Governor Okorocha claims not to be aware that such pedestrian criminality is going on under his watch, then, he must take immediate steps to recover all the property of the state that have been stolen under his watch.
“We call on all youth of Imo State to be vigilant and resist any further attempt to steal property bought with tax payers’ money.
“Let me also state here that the administration of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha will be disappointing Imo people, if he fails to probe this rogue administration, with a view to ensuring that all Imo people’s wealth stolen over the years are recovered and those responsible for the theft made to face the wrath of the law.
“If they could do this in public glare, one imagines what they have done to the finances of Imo people in the last eight years. From Local Government allocations, to Paris refund, to Bailout funds. The list is endless. This administration must be probed and all the things stolen from Imo State recovered.”
Duru, in a statement signed by his Communication Officer, Philip Inyang, further warned Gov. Okorocha not to push his luck too far, adding that the most honourable thing to do was to find ways of laundering his already battered image by turning a new leaf.
