The Imo State High Court in Owerri on Thursday ordered an interim forfeiture of all properties said to be illegally acquired by a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, while he was in office from 2011 to 2019.
Justice Fred Njemanze gave the order following an application brought by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Louis Alozie on behalf of the state government.
Some of the properties listed in the suit include the Eastern Palm University, Ogboko; the controversial Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments; IBC staff quarters said to have been illegally acquired for the purpose of Rochas Foundation College, Owerri; Magistrate Quarters among others.
The suit had Senator Okorocha’s wife, Nkechi, incorporated trustees of Rochas Foundation and Senator Okorocha himself as the first, second and third respondents against the attorney-general of the state.
Okorocha and the Imo State Government have been at loggerheads in recent times. Earlier in the week, the lawmaker was arrested by the police for unsealing a seized property.
He was arrested on Sunday after unsealing Royal Spring Palm Estate reportedly linked to his wife, Nkechi.
Okorocha was said to have gone to the estate with his supporters, policemen, soldiers and personnel of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and ordered the unsealing of the estate.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the arrest to Channels Television.
Ikeokwu said the Commissioner of Police, Nasiru Mohammed, invited Okorocha for questioning following his alleged involvement and forceful entry into a property that was confiscated by the Imo state government a few days ago.
The police spokesman said the command received a distress call that there was commotion and violence at the Royal spring palm hotel located at Akachi road in Owerri.
