…As Ogun monarch strips senator of chieftaincy title
An Imo State High Court sitting in Owerri has ordered the final forfeiture of all property of the former governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, which had been gazette in the government white paper on the recovery of lands and property belonging to the State.
Justice Fred Njamanze, in his ruling Monday, held that Senator Rochas Okorocha failed to give concrete and verifiable reasons why a final and absolute forfeiture order should not be given in favour of the State government.
The Judge noted that there is no reason before the court why the forfeiture should not be made absolute and final.
The judge therefore ruled that every property on pages 226 to 272 of the White Paper has been forfeited to the Imo State Government and they can do with it whatever they deem fit.
As for those who had made purchase on such properties, the court said they are at liberty to approach the court to prove their titles, however the properties as at today have been returned to the Imo State Government.
Justice Fred Nkemanze had on February 26, 2021 given an interim order of forfeiture, urging Senator Okorocha to approach the court to show cause why a final and absolute order of forfeiture should not be given over the properties following an application brought to it by Mr. Louis Alozie (SAN) on behalf of the State government.
The properties to be forfeited include:
“Eastern Palm University, Ogboko;
Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments;
IBC staff quarters said to have been illegally acquired for the purpose of Rochas Foundation College, among several others.
Meanwhile, the Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi has announced the withdrawal of the appointment of Senator Rochas Okorocha as the Otunba Asoludero of Iselu kingdom.
The first class monarch also canceled the installation ceremony which was supposed to take place on 19th September, 2021.
Okorocha was named Otunba Asoludero of Iselu kingdom in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State through a letter addressed by the monarch.
Eselu, in that letter, said he had honoured Okorocha with the title in recognition of ”his exemplified track record of unifying different tribe across the country”, which Okorocha has since accepted.
But Oba Akinyemi, in another letter dated Monday, August 9, 2021 and addressed to Okorocha, explained that the chieftaincy title has been withdrawn in the interest of peace and harmony.
While the monarch claimed the Iselu kingdom still holds Okorocha in high esteem, he advised the Senator to accept the withdrawal as an act of God.
“Senator Sir, I must state that my decision to withdraw the Chieftaincy Title offered you is not premised on any hatred for you, but is done in the interest of peace and harmony.
“For the records, I want to declare to Your Excellency that Eselu-in-Council and the good people of Iselu Kingdom still and will continue to love you and other well meaning Nigerians home and abroad.
“Your Excellency should note that the doors of my Palace will continue to remain open to you and other patriotic Nigerians at all times for the progress of my community and Nigeria in general.
“My advice to Your Excellency is that you should continue to help the needy in Nigera, especially through your Foundation. “Also, do not forget that development of every society requires all hands to be on deck; hence Your Excellency’s continuous show of love towards the development of Iselu Kingdom will always be greatly appreciated.
“Sir, it is my belief that what tomorrow will be will be determined by the future.
“Therefore, I appeal that you should see this development as an act of God and I pray to the Almighty God to continue to be with you in your political career and all your endeavours.
“Any inconveniences this withdrawal of the Chieftaincy Title might have caused you are indeed regretted.
“Please, accept the assurances of my esteemed regards,” he added