Imo state chapter of the Peoples’ Democratic Party at the weekend accused the outgoing governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha of withdrawing the lump sum of N17 billion from different banks in the state in three days.
Revealing that much at a press conference in Owerri, the state capital, the state PDP Chairman, Mr Charles Ezekwem, also alleged that Okorocha is also converting state property into personal use.
Mr. Ezekwem while giving a break down, alleged that between Tuesday, March 12, 2019 and Thursday, March 14, 2019, Okorocha made withdrawals from Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Unity Bank and Skye Bank (Polaris) amounting to over N17bn.
The party said; “In the last two days alone, Governor Okorocha and his cronies transferred ownership and re-registered more than 150 government vehicles to individuals. Government property including furniture and electronics in Government House, Owerri, are being moved out to Ogboko, Ideato South, the governor’s country home.
“About 300 uninstalled transformers have been moved to the governor’s home in Ogboko.”
It further alleged that there was an ongoing mass employment and back-dating of employment with a view to creating problems for the incoming government.
“We are also aware of the rampant issuance of Certificates of Occupancy to family members and friends of the Okorocha family.”
Recall hours ago that Okorocha had called on the newly elected leader of the state Emeka Ihedioha to get sworn into government house before issuing directives.
Okorocha issued the caution to Ihedioha in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, in Owerri, the state capital.
He described the directive by Ihedioha to financial institutions in the state over their dealings with the state government on Thursday as “unfortunate and a sign of ugly things to come”.
Okorocha advised Ihedioha to be patient and wait until he was sworn in before issuing directives to financial institutions not to engage in new transactions with the government.
The governor said that “there is a government in place and until May 29, 2019, that government should continue to work in the interest of the state and her people and also continue to carry out programmes and policies for the same purpose.