N62 BILLION FRAUD: GROUPS CALL FOR OHAKIM’S ARREST AND PROSECUTION

Ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim

Commercial activities in Owerri the Imo State capital was grounded for several hours today when hundreds of members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), women and youth groups and artisans staged a peaceful protest in Owerri, demanding for the immediate arrest of Chief Ikedi Ohakim by the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC).

This action by the groups came few days after the report of Imo State Account Reconciliation from June 2007 to May 2011 was made public. The Accounts Reconcilation Committee uncovered a total of N62 billion naira fraud by the past administration under Ex-governor Ikedi Ohakim.

The groups bemoaned the massive fraud and corruption by Ohakim and some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking on behalf of the NURTW in the State upon the arrival of the protesting groups at the Government House, Owerri, the Chairman, Comrade Chukwuemeka Obuh said that “it is regrettable that someone would spend years as governor of a State without any visible project to speak for the administration.”

In addition to the need to recover the billions of naira allegedly stolen by the former Governor, Comrade Chukwuemeka Obuh called for the confiscation of the properties acquired by him and his partners in crime.

Obuh said the union will not hesitate to ground movement in the State by shutting down all motor parks if EFCC fails to arrest Ohakim within 21 days.
Also speaking on behalf of women in the State, Tina Abike said Ohakim’s arrest is long overdue considering the massive fraud and corruption that characterized his administration.

She warned against moves to shield Ohakim from facing the full wrath of the law, adding that women in the State will consider going naked if EFCC continues to delay the arrest of the former governor.

In the same vein, Comrade Okereke Emmanuel Ike said Imo youths will support every move by Governor Rochas Okorocha-led administration to recover all funds stolen by Ohakim and his cohorts.

He wondered why EFCC is still foot-dragging in arresting the former governor whose fraudulent activities in government is quite alarming.

In his response, Governor Okorocha urged them not to take laws into their hands as government has implicit confidence in EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to bring the former governor to book.

He reassured that his administration will ensure that funds looted within the period by the former governor will be recovered for further development of the State.
Governor Okorocha reiterated that his administration will remain focused in the ongoing transformation of the State as well as deliver on his electoral promises.