By Adeleye Kunle
Former Imo Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha has accused Governor Hope Uzodimma of auctioning off his personal cars and those of his aides when the State Government sealed his wife’s Royal Palm Hotel in 2021, Track News reports.
Okorocha claimed that some of his personal cars, as well as all of the vehicles recovered at the hotel premises on Akachi Road in Owerri, including cars and buses belonging to his aides and Rochas Foundation College, are being auctioned off to interested buyers.
However, in a swift response, the State Government labeled Okorocha a “bloody liar.”
In a statement issued by his Special Media Adviser, Sam Onwuemeodo, the former Governor claimed that all impounded properties were taken to Government House rather than the Police Command headquarters or the Magistrate’s Court where the matter was being heard.
“It was expected that the officers who carried out the operation would have taken someone into custody.” All vehicles recovered at the scene of the attack or incident, including buses belonging to Rochas Foundation College, were taken to the Police Headquarters rather than the Government House, or the cars would have been taken to the court where some of the owners of the cars recovered at the Hotel were on trial, especially since the vehicles could be tendered as exhibits during the trial.
“Unfortunately, the vehicles were taken to the Government House rather than the Police Headquarters or the Court where some of the vehicle’s owners are on trial.”
“The government has decided to auction off the private cars of the former Governor of the State, his security personnel, aides, political associates, Rochas Foundation College, and others who were with him on the day of the attack at the Royal Palm Hotel.” They had thrown caution to the wind by doing so. And you may be wondering where the vehicles were auctioned off.
“ln all of the cases involving Okorocha and the Imo State Government, including the one decided by Justice Njemanze (rtd) and now before the Appeal Court, the government never mentioned Okorocha’s personal cars and those of his aides, associates, security details, Rochas Foundation College, et al, for any reason.” Why auction off his and others’ vehicles?
“Aside from these vehicles, there are valuable materials and documents in some of them, including international passports, and one would have expected the Police to seize all of those items or materials and documents.”
“We urge the Inspector General of Police to request that the Commissioner of Police in lmo release the vehicles he recovered at the Royal Palm Hotel on February 21, 2021.” And other important materials and documents in some of the vehicles. The police have a role to play here and some explanations to give.
“Governor Uzodimma should be reminded that while lmo has had military administrators and civilian governors, none of them have done some of the heinous things his government has done.” None of those who came before him would have auctioned off vehicles recovered in the circumstances described above.”
He also claimed that four of the vehicles had been sold for N5 million as part payment, with payment made on Receipt No. 0141, dated 23- 6- 22, and made through one of the old generation banks.
In response, the State Government labeled Okorocha a bloody liar.
“He’s a blatant liar.” The location is still under construction. Can’t you see he’s deceiving you? Chief Declan Emelumba, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, told the Nation.
He did, however, state that the properties seized by the government no longer belonged to Okorocha.
“In any case, the government has seized that place, and it no longer belongs to Okorocha,” he said. How can the government sell its own property when it is government property?
“The truth is that he is sounding a false alarm. Police are still present, so how did he obtain the photographs he claims to have obtained?”
