‘Why Okorocha’s kinsmen dragged Imo govt, ex-gov, others to court’

Others joined in the suit (No. HOW/585/2020) are the State House of Assembly, Rochas Foundation and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

Daily Times gathered that the National Universities Commission (NUC) had given approval for the institution as the second university owned by Imo State; 47th state university in Nigeria and 143rd Nigerian university.

But, after building the university, the House of Assembly allotted 90 per cent equity shares to trustees of the Rochas Foundation and 10 per cent to the government before Okorocha left office as governor.

Worried by the development, the Incorporated trustees of Orluzurumee Youth Assembly and Chief Celestine Uzoanakwe instituted a suit (for himself and on behalf of all the landlords who donated lands for the building of the university.

The plaintiffs are praying the court to grant an order directing the state governor to take over the management, control and running of the Eastern Palm University, Ogboko for and on behalf of the people of the State.

The plaintiffs also urged the court to make “A declaration of the Honourable Court that the act of the 5th defendant, the former governor of Imo State, in his capacity as the then governor of Imo State in assenting to a bill, namely Law No. 3 of 2019 which confers exclusive privilege, right and or benefit to the 4th defendant, Rochas Foundation, which is a foundation promoted and owned by him, is immoral, wrongful and unconstitutional in that the same is not only a breach of trust but also the abuse of office/power of the governor of the state.

“An order of the Honourable Court nullifying Section 3 (3), (4) and (5) of the Imo State Law No 3 of 2019 as same is unconditional, wrongful, immoral to the extent that they purport to confer exclusive benefit to Rochas Foundation substantially belonging to the 5th defendant who as then executive governor of Imo State promoted same and had substantial interest therein.

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“An order nullifying and or setting aside all and any instruments and/ or agreements of whatever nature made pursuant to Section 3(4) of Law No 3 of 2019.

“An order of court setting aside and or nullifying any and all appointments made pursuant to any instruments and or agreement or memorandum or decision made pursuant to Law No 3 of 2019”