The committee established by the Imo State Government for the recovery of land belonging to Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education on Tuesday indicted Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of Imo State.
The committee claimed that Okorocha expropriated the college’s land using physical force.
The committee recommended that the Shell Camp land be recovered from Okorocha and his accomplices within six months and given to AIFCE in the report, which was signed by the chairman Prof. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe and the secretary B F Anyanwu.
The committee grieved that Okorocha, as governor, took the land from the College through force, including the military and hoodlums, and then gave it to or sold it to his close friends.
Two of Okorocha’s in-laws, Dr. Uzoma Anwuka and Kingsley Uju, benefited from the bazaar and have also been asked to leave the property.
Along with Okorocha’s in-laws, the illicit acquisition benefited a former speaker, Chief Acho Ihim, Charles Orie, Prince Charles Amadi, and Ugochukwu Hillary.
The Committee expressed its sadness at the decision made by Okorocha to demolish 101 properties owned by the college faculty, thus leading to the confiscation of their belongings.
Consequently, the Imo State Executive Council is strongly encouraged to issue directives for the retrieval of all lands that rightfully belong to the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE), now under unauthorised possession by people and institutions.
Additionally, it requested that the state government take necessary measures to facilitate the reclamation of the site within a period of six months, afterwards granting the college a certificate of occupancy.
“AIFCE should take full possession of the vacated land and property immediately upon recovery while the Commissioner for Lands and OCDA should recover the land within six months,” the committee recommended.
It is additionally suggested that AIFCE should fulfil the obligation of providing the agreed-upon compensation to the Orji indigenes, who are recognised as the rightful proprietors of the land.
Furthermore, it is advised that the Army should leave the makeshift structures they have constructed on the site and proceed to relocate to Obinze.
In his response, Governor Uzodimma expressed gratitude towards the committee for their comprehensive efforts and assured that the state government would diligently undertake all requisite measures, adhering to proper protocols, to execute the recommendations put forth by the committee.
