National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP Chief Dan Nwanyanwu has tasked the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma to deploy the services of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to go after and recover state assets laundered by the past government and hidden in foriegn countries and other cities in Nigeria.
Chief Nwanyanwu who hails Governor Uzodinma for the magnitude of recovery his government has made from former governor Rochas Okorocha and his cronies said history will be kind to the governor for his bold and courageous effort.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ZLP national chairman said, “In recent time, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has recorded landmark achievements amongst so many other positive things he has done within a little over one year he assumed office as the Governor of Imo state, worthy of commendation and appreciation.
“I wish to recall that only recently that the former Eastern Palm University which was essentially appropriated by the former Governor of Imo State through his foundation, Rochas foundation, leaving the government and people of Imo State with 10% equity, was recovered by Governor Hope Uzodimma and returned to the Government of Imo State thereby divesting the Roches Okorocha foundation of illegal and illegitimate acquisition of a major Patrimony of the people. This recovery was affirmed by the issuance of documentations of the university to the Imo State government as the bonafide owners of the university and a change of name from Eastern Palm University to K.O Mbadiwe University.
“Before these accomplishments was consummated, the Governor in his usual pragmatism and following due process of law, recovered over two hundred plots of land and property illegally siezed from their bonafide owners and distributed to the former Governors relations and cronies without any recourse to the rule of law or form of negotiation with the owners of the property. This unconscionable act of brigandage was not allowed to remain without Executive remedial action by Governor Hope Uzodinma.
“Those whose properties and plots of lands were siezed have repossessed their siezed properties and plots of land courtesy of Governor Hope Uzodinma in a historic act of justice to the powerless.
“Similarly, property belonging to people and Government of Imo State have also been recovered and returned to the Government. These are unusual acts of bravery and patriotism by a governor that has given high premium to equity Justice and fairness.
“As, I commend the Governor, I urge him to look beyond the boundaries of Imo State and extend his search to Abuja, Jos in plateau State as well as Lagos State and indeed any other place even if the search has to extend to foreign countries using the instrumentally of EFCC to identify and recover asset belonging to the State laundered, hidden or invested in those places. Imo State is in deer need of resources for development.
“History will be kind to Governor Hope Uzodinma for this bold and courageous effort. The damage done to the people of Imo State by the corrupt Governments of Imo State prior to Governor Hope Uzodimma’s emergence is incalculable. The Governors efforts among other things will act as a clear warning to subsequent governments that there is no expiry date for corruption.”