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  • Rumbles in Imo, Ogun over out-going governor’s last-minute transactions

    Perhaps more than in any other states, last-minute activities of the out-going governors in Imo and Ogun states, have elicited controversy, reports Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu

    ALTHOUGH they would be concluding their eight year’s tenures by May 28, 2019, barely a month and some days from today, governors Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State are in the news for initiating new projects, awarding new contracts or making major appointments.

    As would be expected, though the direct beneficiaries of such employments, appointments or contracts and their relations and well-wishers are understandably celebrating and heaping encomiums on the out-going governors for remembering them at last, others, especially those who consider the last-minute contracts, establishments or appointments as mere traps for the incoming administrations, are kicking and warning that the out- going governors should stop creating problems for the new governments and the states deliberately.

    In Imo, the grumbles started soon after it was learnt that Okorocha, who had only few weeks to leave the seat of government, has inaugurated a six-man committee, led by Prof. Chima Iwuchukwu, to see to the implementation of six new universities, colleges of education and polytechnics in the state. The proposed new schools include: Aboh Ngor University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; University of Agriculture and Developmental Science, Umuagwo; University of Science and Technology, Onuimo; University of Creative Technology, Isiaku-Nkwerre; University of Medical Science, Ogboko, Ideato South; Marine University, Oguta; College of Health Technology; Mbonu Ojike Polytechnic, Arondizuogu; and Bishop Shanahan Polytechnic, Ahiara Mbaise.

    One of the people that have kicked against the move is Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the Governor-Elect in Imo. Ihedioha reportedly wrote to the National Universities Commission (NUC) not to honour the approval of more universities in the state.

    Reacting, Okorocha said the Imo State House of Assembly backed the committee’s inauguration with a law.

    He explained that his action can be compared to a similar move in Ogun State that led to the establishment of about 15 universities. According to him, the establishment of these universities in Ogun has enhanced admission opportunities and job placements in the Southwest state. He therefore reasoned that the establishment of the new universities in the state will enhance university admission in Imo and offer greater opportunities to the youths.

    “With these institutions put in place, the dreams of our people would have been achieved. Education will remain the industry of Imo State. What we plan was to lure investors into Imo State. They will come and invest in our institutions, under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to assist us in the full take-off of the universities.

    “For those of you who are conversant with the history of Imo State, education is one of the viable industries in the state.

    “When I came into office in 2011, I told Imo people that my top priority is education and I want to tell you that we have done a lot in this area.

    “We have created six new universities, four polytechnics and two colleges of education. By the time they take off, this will accommodate thousands of our children who go outside the state in search of admission and in most cases, they do not get it. Now, the opportunity is here for them to take advantage of,” he said.

    Reacting to allegation that the idea of setting up six new universities few days before leaving office is a trap to put the in-coming administration into problem, Okorocha said, “Let me say that I am not setting any trap for the incoming administration either do I want the incoming government to fail with the setting up of these universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.

    “The dream behind it is that our children who are the highest in seeking of university education in the whole of the federation will have more opportunities of having access to university education.

    “Education and health sectors have received the highest attention in Imo state within the last eight years of my administration. The free education programme in the state has reduced crimes in the state. Children are no longer hawking; they are now in schools because there is free education in the state.

    “Nobody has any reason not to continue with the free education, which I introduced. Education is our culture and it is the main stay of our lives in Imo State. It has drastically increased literacy level in the state. Children of the poor now have unlimited access to quality education up to university level.”

    He also denied claims that its funding will put a strain on the finances of the state when he said “the schools will be managed under Public Private Partnership arrangement.”

    Similar controversy erupted in Ogun State when Governor Ibikunle Amosun, less than two months to the end of his tenure, approved the appointment of 18 new permanent secretaries from the state civil service.

    Lanre Bisiriyu, the state’s Head of Service, who made the announcement in a press statement dated April 9, said the new appointees are Mosuro Olatunbosun, Bajela Abayomi, Abosede Ogunleye, Olufunke Ogunremi, Odulana Dolapo, Olanrewaju Saka, Olaleye Alao and Adebiyi Ayinla.

    The others, he said are Idowu Olubunmi, Awere Abiodun, Olukoga Olumuyiwa, Adewunmi Olufemi, Oladeinde Olufunmilayo, Ogunlana Fatai, Lanre -Iyanda Olusegun, Olabimtan Akande, Aboaba Ishola and Oresanya Yetunde.

    At the same time, the governor also approved the appointments of Oludiji Akinhanmi and Festus Kehinde as the General Managers of Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation (OGBC) and Ogun State Television (OGTV) respectively.

    As would be expected, Amosun has been under fire since then as observers and critical stakeholders wonder why he had to wait until now to make such important appointments and how expects the in-coming administration to relate with the new appointees.

    One of the popular lawyers that have spoken to newsmen on the futility of such appointments and contracts is Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN). He was quoted recently as saying “the outgoing governors should bear in mind that the incoming governors reserve the right not to confirm the appointments being made and contracts awarded. According to him, those who are being employed now will be under probation by the time the new government will come in and they stand to lose their employment depending on the findings of the new government concerning their engagement. He said: “They should know that the new government has the right not to confirm the appointment of those under probations. When governor Rocha’s Okorocha came into power, he sacked about 10,000 workers. It is clear now that the appointments being made and the contracts being awarded are out of malice. ”They should also know that a searchlight is being beamed on them by anti-graft agencies. The whole thing is about malice and intended to create problems for the new administration,” he stated.

    Not all lawyers and politicians see it the same way. Sunday Mbaku, a lawyer in Imo State, told The Nation that there is nothing wrong for Okorocha, Amosu or any other out-going governor to do their statutory duty until the last day of their four year tenure, adding, “A good project is a good project no matter how late it is awarded. My advice to the in-coming governors is to look at the appointments, contracts and recruitments objectively and act accordingly.”

    He also said: “An elected governor has four-year tenure. He is expected to work as a governor all through the tenure and not to stop working after a new governor-elect emerges. So, in the eyes of the law, until May 29, every executive function performed by these governors are legitimate. But if after their tenure the new administration finds genuine reason not to continue with any of the decisions, it is free to follow the laid down legal processes to quash such actions.”

    The concern over the last minutes actions of the out-going governors is not limited to Ogun and Imo states.

    Other states where such concerns have been raised recently include Adamawa, Bauchi and Oyo. While blaming the out-going governors for delaying some of the controversial actions until the tail end of their tenure, observers said the in-coming governments must first assess the genuineness of the action before cancelling them in the interest of the state.

     

  • BREAKING: Court attaches Imo’s accounts in CBN, 16 other banks over N1.5b debt

    A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has ordered the attachment of funds in accounts owned by the Imo State Government in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 16 other banks in the country.

    Justice Bello Kawu, sitting in Kubwa, gave the order in a motion ex-parte for garnishee order nisi brought by a firm, E. F. Network Nigeria Limited and its promoter, Gideon Egbuchulam.

    The garnishee proceedings was predicated on a March 8, 2019 judgment of the Supreme Court, which found that the Imo State Government was indebted to E. F. Network and Egbuchulam for contracts executed for the government.

    Justice Kawu ordered that all money held by the state in its accounts with all the listed banks, should be attached for the purpose of satisfying the judgment of the Supreme Court delivered on the 8th day of March 2019 (which affirmed the concurrent judgment of the Court of Appeal and the High Court of Imo State).

    The judge gave the banks 14 days within which to show cause why the garnishee order nisi should not be made absolute in satisfaction of the judgment sum contained in the Supreme Court judgment.

    He adjourned to May 3 for the banks to show cause and for hearing on whether or not the garnishee order should be made.

    The banks listed with the CBN are Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Jaiz Bank, Union Bank, First Bank, U.B.A, Ecobank, Keystone Bank, Diamond Bank, Fidelity Bank, Polaris Bank, GTBank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Unity Bank, Heritage Bank and FCMB Bank.

    Details shortly…

  • Doctors commence strike in Imo

    Medical doctors in Imo state owned hospitals and health facilities on Wednesday began an indefinite strike action.

    The Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Kyrian Duruewuru, who briefed journalists, alleged that the state government is treating the striking doctors unfairly.

    He explained that the first phase of the strike would involve all doctors in Imo state University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, Imo State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma and Hospital Management Board.

    According to him, the second phase of the industrial action would have all doctors in private hospitals and those in federal health centres in the state downing their tools.

    READ ALSO: Imo Assembly recalls suspended lawmakers

    He noted that while their “colleagues practising in other states were enjoying the adjusted salary structure for medical practitioners, the state government had refused to implement it in the state”.

    In his words:  “For the past four years, doctors in Imo state have received seventy percent of their salaries. Also the doctors are being owed three months’ salary arrears by the Imo state government. For us, this is highly unacceptable and very insensitive.”

    He said that all the moves by the NMA to make sure that the situation was resolved failed hence the industrial action.

    The doctors, who had earlier given a two week ultimatum, said that they were demanding for the payment of their salary arrears.

  • Judge withdraws from Okorocha’s certificate of return suit against INEC

    A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Taiwo Taiwo has withdrawn from a suit filed by Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha with which he sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue him with a certificate of return.

    INEC has failed to issue Okorocha a certificate of return weeks after declaring him winner of Imo West Senatorial District with the returning officer claiming to have acted under duress.

    The decision by Justice Taiwo to withdraw from the case was informed by allegation of bias raised against him by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the February 23 National Assembly election – Jones Onyeriri and Senator Osita Izunaso.

    Onyeriri wrote petition to the court’s Chief Judge, querying the judge’s neutrality while Izunaso filed a motion, asking the judge to disqualify himself from further hearing the case on grounds of likelihood of being bias.

    Justice Taiwo, while announcing his withdrawal on Wednesday, said he would return the case file to the court’s Chief Judge for re-assignment to a new judge.

    Onyeriri , in his petition, accused the judge of making utterances in which he “clearly prejudged the substantive issues that will be resolved in this matter and clearly showed he has taken sides with the plaintiff (Okorocha).”

    In an affidavit deposed to by a lawyer, Chijioke Nzekwe, on his behalf, Onyeriri claimed the judge told INEC’s lawyer, Wendy Kuku that the electoral body was responsible for the problems associated with the election.

    He added: “’The honourable judge went further to say that he has read through the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and found nothing therein that robs him of the jurisdiction to hear his suit.’

    Read Also: Igbo women chide INEC over Okorocha

    “This pronouncement shocked all the counsel who were present in court and even members of the public and press men, who were in the gallery because 2nd and 3rd defendant (INEC and Onyeriri) have notices of preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear this matter.”

    Izunaso, in his motion on notice dated April 8, 2019, asked for an order transferring the suit to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for re-assignment to any other judge of the court.

    In the motion, filed by his lawyer, Prince Orji Nwafor- Orizu, Isunso urged the judge to desist from further hearing the suit, on the grounds that “there is likelihood of bias on the part of this honourable court to continue to hear the suit as the honourable presiding Judge has expressed an opinion favourable to the plaintiff even without the hearing of the substantive suit.

    “The said utterances were made on April 5, 2019 which utterances clearly pre-judged the substantive issues that will be resolved in this matter and clearly showed that the Honourable presiding judge has taken sides with the plaintiff.”

  • AA gets nod to inspect Imo election materials

    The Governorship and House of Assembly Petitions Tribunal sitting in Owerri, Imo state has granted the Action Alliance (AA) leave to inspect election materials in connection to the conduct of the March 9 governorship election.

    The Panel granted the petitioners leave to also inspect “copy, photocopy and obtain Certified True Copies of all the electoral materials related to or in connection with the conduct of the Imo State governorship election held on 9th March, 2019, including but not limited to ballot papers, used and unused; the voters’ register used in the conduct of the election.

    Read Also: Imo governor-elect bans issuance of land titles, CofO

    “Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C, EC8D, EC8E, EC 17A, EC 25A, EC 25B, EC 40A, EC 40G, EC 40H; all the incident forms filed by voters in all the polling units in the election; the list of permanent voter cards collected and used in the election; all the card readers used in the election; data of accredited voters as captured by all the smart card readers deployed during the 9th March, 2019 governorship election conducted in all the polling units in Imo State, sorted out into Local Governments, Wards, Polling Units and voting points; record of ballot paper allocation to all the polling units in the election; the list of all presiding officers for all the units in the election”.

    Also to be inspected by the petitioners include “INEC manual and guidelines; the list of the polling agents submitted to INEC by all the political parties and every other electoral material used in the conduct of the election for the purpose of instituting, maintaining and prosecuting the petition and for the purpose of presenting same at the trial”.

  • Flight operations resume at Imo Airport after fire outbreak

    Flight operations have fully resumed at the Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport Owerri, Imo state after a fire outbreak that razed part of the arrival terminal of the Airport.

    When The Nation visited the Airport on Tuesday, passengers were seen queuing to get their boarding pass, even though the number of passengers was minimal compared to what it used to be before the fire incident.

    The Nation findings disclosed that the Executive lounge of the airport was completely razed and has been cordoned off.

    The Airport Manager, Mrs. Rejoice Ndudinachi, said that the cause of the inferno is yet to be ascertained as investigation is still ongoing.

    Read Also: Fire guts arrival terminal of Imo airport

    According to her, flight operations have fully resumed, adding that the fire incident didn’t affect any critical infrastructure or equipment.

    She said, “we are following Airport contingency plans to make sure that flight operations resume at the airport and it has resumed. We are sorry for what happened, there was no casualty, the fire department was able to contain the inferno”.

    Meanwhile speaking during separate visits to the Airport, Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha and the governor-elect, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha commended the Airport management for the proactive measure taken to avert what they say could have been a major disaster.

  • Three killed, others wounded as cultists clash in Imo

    No fewer than three persons were Sunday night murdered in the Mechanic Village area of Owerri, the Imo State capital following a bloody clash between rival cult gangs.

    The victims who were killed with machete and other dangerous weapons were said to be members of the Aiye confraternity.

    Over 15 persons including students in one of the higher institutions in the state have been killed in cult-related clashes in the state in the last one month.

    According to an eyewitness account, the rampaging cultists invaded the community around 12.30am and laid ambush for their targets who were returning from an outing.

    The source who didn’t want to be mentioned, said that they were armed with machetes, clubs and other dangerous weapons.

    READ ALSO: Two suspected cultists docked for possession of tramadol

    He disclosed that apart from those that were killed several other people who tried to rescue the victims from the assailants sustained machete wounds.

    Meanwhile residents of Mechanic Village, one of the satellite towns around Owerri, have lamented the rate of cult related killings in the community.

    They appealed to security agencies to track down the rampaging cultists who they said have turned their lives into nightmare.

    According to one of the residents, who pleaded anonymity, “we now live in fear everyday; it is a very sad development most of the gruesome killings are carried out in the day time under the full glare of the parents of the victims. We want the government to come to our aid”.

    However efforts to get the State Police Command to confirm the incident were not successful as repeated the State Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, a Superintendent of Police could not be reached.

  • Ihedioha inaugurates 139-man Transition Committee

    Imo state governor-elect, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Wednesday inaugurated a 139-member Transition Technical Committee with a promise to turn what he called “the bad news of the state into a good one”.
    He said he would leverage on the experiences of the many professionals who are members of the Committee including a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Dr Ernest Ebi and the former President of Nigeria Stock Exchange, Ndy Okereke Onye-Uke.
    The governor- elect assured that his administration would consult widely and work as a team.
    He said that the Transition Technical Committee had six weeks to round off its assignments.
    According to him, “in the course of the campaign, we promised good governance while stimulating development in all sectors and across all the zones of our dear state.
    Having recognised that we cannot deliver on that promise without leveraging on the experiences, and expertise of the broadest possible diversity of Imo people, we are here today to inaugurate the transition committee that will help us with a clear roadmap to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves.
    “In constituting this Transition Committee, we were very careful and deliberate. We have selected from among the brightest and the best of our people in different fields of human endeavour. I know every single person in this room if not personally at least by reputation and I feel delighted that you decided to answer our call. It is even more humbling to note that every individual we invited for this defining state assignment responded delightfully in the affirmative.

    READ ALSO: Ihedioha sets up inauguration Committee

    “In the past few days, I have had extensive discussions with the chairman, Mr Ernest Ebi, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a distinguished son of our dear state as well as his deputy, Dr Kema Chikwe who has been with us on this journey right from the beginning. I have also spoken directly with majority of the people here on our vision and the help we will need to rebuild our state.
    “Let me say here that we are not bereft of ideas as to what we want to achieve. We however, believe in team work and we will not shy away from harnessing the well acknowledged potentials of our people. We also know that with accomplished men and women like you, our job can only be easier to make Imo great again”.
    Inaugurating the Committee, Ihedioha said, “you come from different professional backgrounds with competences that will help us identify measurable policy frameworks and how to raise and manage the requisite resources after taking a critical look at what the out-going administration is handing over to us”.

  • Ihedioha sets up inauguration Committee

    Imo State governor-elect, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, has constituted a Transition Technical Committee.

    The Committee is headed by Prof Ernest Ebi as Chairman and former Minister  of Aviation, Dr Kema Chikwe as Vice Chairman, while Dr. Chinedu Okpaleke will serve as Secretary.

    READ ALSO: Ihedioha: Imagine the future of Imo

    The Committee according to a statement signed by the media aide to the governor-elect, Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, is divided into 12 sub committees which include  Projects and Review, Finance Review and Funding Initiative, Integrated Infrastructure, Human Capital Development, Good Governance, Agriculture, Commerce and Industries, and Job and Wealth Creation.

    Others are Tourism and Hospitality, Talents and Opportunities, Security, Diaspora Initiatives and Owerri Town Planning.

    According to the statement, “members of the Committee were carefully selected by the governor-elect and are made up of men and women of high integrity who are committed to the actualization of the task of rebuilding Imo State”.

  • I don’t owe any bank, Okorocha insists

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has restated that his administration has never borrowed money from any bank within or outside the country.

    He gave the financial institutions seven days ultimatum to openly counter the claim if it is not true.

    Okorocha also disclosed that his administration does not owe workers, adding that workers’ salaries have been paid up to February 2019.

    The outgoing governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, challenged any bank with contrary claim to “openly indicate and give details of such transaction for the public to know”.

    According to him: “We have come up with this position because the PDP is synonymous with falsehood and propaganda.

    “And even as a party, if they know any bank the government of Rochas Okorocha has borrowed one naira from, they should mention such bank and state the particulars of the transaction so that interested persons can verify or forever, they should keep their mouths shut”.

    He continued: “Owing to Governor Okorocha’s monumental achievements, opponents of the administration have always erroneously concluded that he must have borrowed heavily from the banks.

    “And that is the reason we are now stating openly that the Rescue Mission administration which Owelle Okorocha has superintended for almost eight years now has not borrowed money from any bank.

    “We also want to state that Imo State Government has paid workers’ Salary up to the month of February 2019, and the payment of the month of March Salary is about to commence.

    “In other words, the State Government is not owing any outstanding salary.

    “Again, the government of Governor Okorocha is not owing any contractor. And if any contractor has any claim in the contrary he or she should immediately go to the Office of the Secretary to the government of Imo State with the relevant papers before May 29, 2019.

    “We are doing this so that people would not come after the governor has left Office to lie against him or make dubious claims.

    “It is also on record that the administration has run free education since 2011 from Primary to tertiary and no child pays one kobo as tuition fee while the government also repurchased state owned companies sold by the previous administrations including the Resin Paint Industry Mbaise”.