Categories: CRIME

Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of Properties ‘Illegally Acquired’ By Okorocha

An Owerri High Court has ordered the final forfeiture of properties said to be acquired through “illegal means” by the former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

The forfeited properties are listed in the Imo state Government white paper report on the recovery of lands and other related matters.

In February, the court had ordered the interim forfeiture of all the properties linked to Okorocha.

The Court had also asked Okorocha to showcase as to why a final and absolute order of forfeiture should not be given following an application brought to it by Louis Alozie on behalf of the state.

READ ALSO: Assets Recovery: Imo Elders Fight Dirty Over Uzodinma, Okorocha

But the former Imo governor had asked a federal high court in Abuja to set aside the order.

Okorocha had also asked Ahmed Mohammed, the judge, to restrain the defendants from investigating him or implementing the recommendations of the panels set up to probe previous administrations in the state, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

In his ruling, Fred Njemanze, the judge, said Okorocha’s counsel failed to give concrete and verifiable reasons why a final and absolute forfeiture order should not be given in favour of the Imo state government.

Sponsored

The judge said the suit filed against the Imo government by Okorocha’s counsel was not properly handled and that there is no reason why the forfeiture should not be made final.

Njemanze said the white paper gazette by the Imo government is a legally-binding document.

He added that the Imo government can go ahead and do whatever it deems fit with the properties.

The judge also ruled that persons who might have purchased said properties are at liberty to approach the court to prove their titles.

The properties include Eastern Palm University, Ogboko; Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments; IBC staff quarters illegally acquired for the purpose of Rochas Foundation College, Owerri; magistrate quarters, Orlu road/cooperative office/Girls Guide illegally converted to private use housing market square, Kilimanjaro eatery; public building plot B/2 Otamiri South Extension Layout given to the ministry of women affairs for establishing a skills acquisition centre for women, illegally acquired for the benefit of Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha’s all-in stall, Aba road.

Others are Plot P5, Naze residential layout, initially part of primary school management board but now annexed to all-in stall, Aba road belonging to Nkechi Okorocha, and all the properties contained from pages 226 to 272 of the government white paper on the recommendation of the judicial commission of inquiry into land administration in Imo state from June 2006 to May 2019.

SPONSORED
ABN TV EDITOR

ABN TV is one of the most visited news platform across Nigeria and the world over. It has carved a niche for itself in delivering authentic, accurate news.

Recent Posts

Tension As Many Hospitalized In Abia Community After Free Drug Distribution (Photos, Video)

A medical emergency has unfolded in Abiriba, Ohafia LGA, Abia State after a large number…

2 hours ago

Tinubu, Wife Return To Nigeria After G20 Summit In Brazil⁣

President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have returned to Abuja after attending the…

3 hours ago

Anambra Police Arrest Suspected Kidnapper, Recover Ammunition

Anambra State Police Command have detained a suspected kidnapper who is allegedly intimidating locals in…

4 hours ago

Bus Passengers Cheat Death As Tyre Bursts On Enugu-Port Harcourt Express Road In Abia (Photos)

A Rivers Joy Transport company bus was involved in a lone accident on the Enugu-Aba-Port…

4 hours ago

Sen. Barau Provides 1,000 Functional Motorcycles To Police In Kano

On Saturday, Senator Barau Jubrin, the deputy president of the Senate, gave 1,000 operational motorcycles…

4 hours ago

Ogun Woman Pushes 65-Year-Old Neighbour To Death

Oladega Morenike, 65, was killed in an altercation in Ogun State's Ipokia Local Government Area…

4 hours ago