Former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo, on Monday declared a counter-war with Governor Hope Uzodinma over the order of Imo State High Court for forfeiture of his properties targeted for confiscation by Uzodinma. Senator Okorocha, therefore, declared that he will appeal the judgement of the Imo State High Court on the final forfeiture of properties belonging to him and his wife, Nkechi.

Okorocha had vehemently expressed his objection to the judgment of the Imo court.

The lead Counsel to Okorcha, Oba Maduabuchi, on behalf of the former governor, protested that the judge delivered the judgement with urgency, not contacting the Imo Senator or his legal team on such a matter with the magnitude of permanently losing acquired property.

Maduabuchi, counsel to Okorocha had observed that Louis Alozie, approached the court on behalf of the Imo State government, requesting the court to allow the legal team of Okorocha to adopt their processes to enable the judge to deliver judgment where necessary.

The lead counsel indicated that the court was to sit on August 6, to adopt the preliminary objections in the matter, noting that the court failed to sit but the reason was given was that “the judge was indisposed to entertain the matter”.

Maduabuchi pointed out that all parties to the suit agreed to sit on August 11 because of the stay-at-home order of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday.

To the consternation of the lead counsel to Okorocha, the presiding judge, Justice Fred Njemanze,  on Monday ordered the permanent forfeiture of Okorocha’s properties to the Imo State Government, while counsels to the former governor were not present in court.

He declared that his client is proceeding to the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgement of the Imo High Court.