By Ogu Bundu Nwadike, M.A
The world is obviously aware of emergent actions of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on its investigation of the alleged financial infractions by the ex-governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, members of his family, his friends, aides and agents.
It’s now obvious too that their ordeals with the EFCC have vindicated the people of Imo State, who have all the while insisted on their insinuations that Rochas and Company were mercilessly and brutally stealing money and land belonging to Imo State and Imo people.
It’s seems this is the beginning of Judgement Day in Imo State for the so-called Rescue Mission rogue regime of Ex-governor Rochas Okorocha. It appears that God has hearkened to the prayers and supplications of weary, helpless and hapless Imolites by sending EFCC to assist in recovering the commonwealth and patrimony of Imo State and Imo people that were stolen by the ignominious gang of looters.
It may be recalled that just recently Imo people came out as a formidable vanguard in a street protest to demand for the comprehensive probe of the Rochas’ regime with a view to reclaiming all the money and land that were stolen.
Incidentally, while they threw their tearful demands at the door of the current governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, CON, KSC, little did Imo people know that God that answereth by fire heard their cry and sent EFCC to do the needful.
Ironically, Rochas in his confused state of mind has accused Gov. Ihedioha as championing the petitions and protests that led to the full-force coming of EFCC to seal up all the physical evidence of the huge loot of money and land belonging to Imo State and Imo people by Rochas and Company.
But truth is that before the glorious assumption of office by Gov. Ihedioha on May 29, 2019 there had been fire on Mount Rochas and the looters were on subtle run, run, run. Recall that the EFCC had reported in the month of March 2019, shortly after the election and the declaration of Gov. Ihedioha as winner, that Rochas and Company were looting the bank accounts of Imo State.
That, according to the EFCC, led to their freezing the accounts and saving Imo State the last N5 billion in the account. Yet, the story of Rochas and EFCC predates 2019. The anti-graft agency had swung into action when few years ago they began the probe of the utilization of the multiple hundreds of billions of bailout fund and Paris Club refunds that were released by the Federal Government for the clearance of salary and pension arrears in the State.
Let’s remind here that in 2015 when the N26 billion bailout fund was released, there was a case of a foreign maid to Uche Rochas Nwosu, who made away with $.4 million cash that the then larger than life Chief of Staff kept in his Owerri home.
Comrade Precious Nwadike, publisher of an Imo-based newspaper, Community Watchdog, who reported the matter, was massively hounded, embarrassed, harassed, intimidated and molested by Uche Rochas Nwosu. Just recently, the Court discharged and acquitted Nwadike of all allegations of false reports, libel and defamation filed against him by Uche Rochas Nwosu.
Then, sometime in the months of April and May 2019, before Gov. Ihedioha was inaugurated, Ex-governor Rochas Okorocha ran to a court and filed a suit seeking for perpetual injunction and praying for the cessation of further investigation by EFCC of himself, his wife, his children, his in-laws and members of his extended family over looted bailout fund and Paris Club refunds.
The swooping upon the property of Rochas and Company in Owerri, Imo State capital alone valued at near N1 trillion by the EFCC on Tuesday, July 23, 2019 is a continuation of the tailing and dogging of Rochas and Company which began few years back.
It has nothing to do with Gov. Ihedioha, who may yet open a big case against Rochas and Company if the report of the investigative committees verifying Imo State and local government finances from 2011 to 2019 implicates them of financial improprieties, malfeasances, misappropriations and mismanagement. That’s what Imo people have been agitating for, anyway!
Apparently, the coming of EFCC into Imo in the powerful way and manner they have done must have been delayed by the noxious constitutional immunity that shielded the ex-governor from apprehension, prosecution and incarceration. Now that the immunity has constitutionally expired, the ordeals and odysseys of Rochas and Company have just begun on a more serious note. Talk of NYSC, “Now Your Suffering Continues”!
Pointing at Gov. Ihedioha as being the brain behind his travails in the iron fists of fury of EFCC, presents Rochas and Company as being ignorant of their contemporary history. And if they can’t remember current affairs, how then can they remember far back?
Indeed, Ndi Agburu oshi bailout fund na Paris Club refunds dobirila Imo State na Ndimo ihe n’ike jajaja! But as our people say, it’s “every day for the thief but one day for the owners”! And they also say, “one day, monkey go go market, but e no go return”!
So, my highly esteemed reader let me wrap it up by congratulating the good people of Imo State on the occasion of the good Lord, God Almighty, answering their prayers and sending EFCC to help them run after Rochas and Company, overtake them and recover all the money and land that they looted.
By the grace, mercy and compassion of God, Imo State must be rebuilt by Gov. Emeka Ihedioha, through Christ our Lord! Amen!
*Nwadike is the Special Assistant on Research to the Governor of Imo State. Sms/WhatsApp only 0810 681 9304.
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