For any body who has been following the political events in Imo state keenly, would agree with me that this is the time to get Governor Rochas Okorocha Impeached for his gross incompetence to manage the state economy, executive reckless spending without accountability, dictatorial style of governance in democratic disposition and high level of corruption with impunity, the call for the impeachment of Governor Rochas Okorocha is no longer a needful call but an urgent call in order to savage the state from imminent economic collapse and insolvency.
Talking about corruption, for the first time in the history of Imo state (even in the old Imo state, comprising Anambra and Abia), there has never been cases of where a “journey-man” who comes from afar away countries, steals the states Billions of Naira without any trace. This was not only an alien story for Imolites but a myth told in the moonlight, since the history of Imo state and as long as I can reminisce, the tales of sacred “Cabals” who steals the states’ funds with impunity and with no recourse has always been a story associated with those at the very top of Nigerian top political class but lo and behold, in our very own Imo state of 2011 till date under the purview of governor Rochas Okorocha, our Imo money running into Billions of Naira has become a kite that sky rockets itself to far away Dubai of this world and lebanon of all places.
It is now a common knowledge to all and sundry in Imo state about the case of Sir Jude Agbaso who was accused of demanding a “bribe” from one JPROS international Ltd, a company that was handling a state project in Imo state and consequently the state house of Assembly who was literary the “incorruptible judge” just like the judges in one of Ola Rotimi’s classic, (the “incorruptible judge”) delivered judgement on the then deputy governor which finally got the then deputy governor impeached having found him guilty for “demanding and collecting bribe”, kudos to our unflinching honourable members.
As an informed Nigerian and a student of thought, I am convinced to say that in our constitution, both the facilitator,the giver and the receiver of any bribery corruption is culpable to any offence to be meted out to the culprits. So therefore, in this case, the facilitator is the state government, the giver is the company in question and the receiver happens to be the deputy governor whom to me if found guilty in the competent court of justice, justice has already been delivered on him by impeaching him and so? What happens to other parties in the bribery fraud?
This is the question on the lips of every patriotic,discerning and well meaning Imolite, what happens to those who have aided and abated the bribery scam? Just like my revered senior brother and an elder statesman, Dee MIKE AHAMBA (SAN) opined in his own words; “The fight against corruption will lose steam and meaning if any cover-up is allowed in this matter” therefore we must not stop at nothing to make sure that justice is delivered to all the parties and if nothing is done, it will amount to “selective justice” from the part of our members of the state house of assembly.
This article will not be complete if I fail to point out to way and manner that the said bribe was facilitated by Governor Rochas Okorocha, it is interesting to note that the Gov Rochas Okorocha approved the said contract and without recourse to Ministry of Works, the state Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General under the instructions of gov Rochas Okorocha paid 100% of the contract sum directly to JPROS. It was also discovered that the contractor was even over-paid the contractor sum for work which is yet to go mid-way. There has never been in the history of managing state affairs that a contract was awarded without the bidding process, it was not only that the said contract was not bidded but the Governor single handedly approved with out any due process followed, paid JPROS company the total contract sum an upfront of 100% payment even without the commencement of the said project.
Dear readers, it is also very pertinent to also point out the
shenanigan and mischievous manner in which the then deputy governor was impeached, honestly and sincerely speaking, since the history of democratic governance, there has NEVER been in any case where a probe panel of inquiry was to sit The same day the panel submitted its report to the legislature, in this same day, Jude Agbaso was impeached and it was still in this same day that the governor had recommended his personal assistant and he was confirmed by the same legislatures as the new Deputy Governor in the same day. It was like that because it seemed everything was a script well written, well rehearsed and well delivered to suit some interests.
Then after some couple of months of this selective justice was meted out to the then deputy governor, The EFCC, after its investigation had traced the said money used in bribing the then deputy governor, Jude Agbaso, found in the accounts of JPROS_LB5001400002302300179018010 with the Kaslik Branch of BLOM Bank SAL in Lebanon and AE360200000036374395130 with HSBC Middle East Ltd at Dubai Internet City, Sheik Zayed Rd, Dubai. With the missing monies in these respective accounts, and a principal officer of Rescue mission government and an aide to Governor Rochas Okorocha Prince MacDonald-Akano who was the Governor’s Special Adviser and Chairman of the Committee on Monitoring and Implementation of Road Projects in Imo State is the second highest owner of JPROS company according to its share as the second largest share holder.
The governor laundered Imo state’s N458 Million abroad through his principal officer who is also the owner of Jpros when he illegally approved the payment of 100% upfront of 1.5billion Naira and even overpaid the said contract sum without following the due process and led down rules.
As these revelations from the EFCC have come to lime light, I,on behalf of the patriotic citizens of Imo State is calling on our honourable members of Imo state House of Assembly to swing into action and initiate the Impeachment proceedings of Governor Rochas Okorocha for nothing could assuage the feelings of Imo people about their missing 458 Million Naira if not the Impeachment of Governor Rochas Okorocha.
Ambrose@gloworld.blackberry.com
