Stop Uzodimma from demolishing Rochas’ property out of hatred, lawyer to Buhari

In a petition by Frank Tietie a lawyer on behalf of the former governor of the state, Senator Okorocha to President Buhari, urged  Gov. Uzodimma to suspend the action being taken and abide by existing court orders.

According to the lawyer, on March 5, 2021, officials of the Imo State Government marked the property for demolition, arguing that demolishing the property would undermine the rule of law that helped the governor to get to power.

Tietie stated; “On Friday, the 5th of March, 2021, officials of the Imo State Government marked for demolition, property belonging to the Rochas Okorocha family.

“The governor should lead respect for the rule of law by obeying the standing order of the Imo State High Court and to stop the frustration of the subject matter before the Federal High Court, Owerri.

“It is pertinent to note that all of the property marked for demolition are presently subject to pending litigations.

“Particularly, there is an order of court issued by Hon. Justice T.N. Nzeukwu of the Imo State High Court, in the case of an application for fundamental rights enforcement.

“It was filed by the House of Freeda Ltd, Mrs Uloma Rochas Nwosu & 2 Ors. Vs. the Governor of Imo State, Attorney General & Commissioner of Justice, Imo State & 4 Ors in the suit no: HOW/947/2019),” he said.

The counsel said the court issued a perpetual injunction against the governor and government of Imo State from interfering with the property listed in the application.

He won’t further to identified the affected property to include; House of Freeda at Km 1, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri; East High College at Area ‘R’, opposite Life Oak Event Centre, New Owerri, Imo State.

Others according to the report include; the East High Academy at Area ‘P’, opposite ISOPADEC,, New Owerri; West Brook Hotel Ltd at New Owerri and El Freeda Foundation at Area ‘P,’ opposite ISOPADEC,, New Owerri.

“Furthermore, the Eastern Palm University (Imo-European University) is the subject matter of a pending suit at the Federal High Court, Owerri between the Incorporated Trustees of Rochas Foundation, Eastern Palm University, Ogboko as plaintiffs and the Governor of Imo State and 5 Ors as defendants, in suit no: FHC/OW/16/2021 filed on the 5th of February, 2021,” he added.

According to him, the suit seeks a restraining order of injunction against the governor and Government of Imo State with their agents from forcibly taking over possession and ownership of the university.

The lawyer argued that Okorocha and his family’s right to own moveable and immovable property, anywhere in Nigeria, including Imo, guaranteed by the Constitution, should be respected by th Imo State Government.

“Such right can neither be extinguished by the whims and caprices of any of government official nor by a fact-finding committee or judicial commission of inquiry.

“Only a court of competent jurisdiction can make a determination as to any detraction of the fundamental right of any Nigerian citizen to own moveable and immovable property in any part of Nigeria.

“Governor Hope Uzodinma, being a huge beneficiary of the rule of law which has made him the present governor of Imo State, must as a matter of avowed commitment to upholding the constitution, immediately cease all actions that would undermine the rule of law as the guarantor of peace and progress in any society,” he said.

Tuetie urged President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami; the Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to intervene towards ensuring that the rule of law prevailed.

“The president and the relevant officials of the Nigerian state and Federal Government must act immediately to prevent the abuse of state powers by Governor Hope Uzodinma who is presently consumed and driven by hate, malice and morbid vindictiveness against the person of Senator Rochas Okorocha,” he said.

Okorocha it would be recalled had personally in 2016 supervised the demolition of some buildings in Owerri while as governor including that of former Minister of Interior, Rtd. Captain Emma Iheanacho against Court Order.

Iheanacho had obtained a court injunction restraining the state government from demolishing his property. However Okorocha arrived the venue with a retinue of armed security personnel and supervised the demolition exercise.