A group, concerned Imo Lawyers Forum (CILF) has called on the state House of Assembly to commence the impeachment of Gov. Rochas Okorocha.
In a petition addressed to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu and signed by its National Coordinator, Barr. Kissinger Ikeokwu, the group accused Okorocha of misappropriating public funds and contract scams.
The group commended the Imo House of Assembly ad-hoc Committee to investigate contracts awards headed by Hon. Simeon Iwunze but alleged that the Committee became selective in its findings and chose to ignore the impeachable offences committed by the governor.
CILF further alleged that Okorocha played a major role in the entire contract scam involving Joseph Dinah of JPROS International and the deputy governor, Sir Jude Agbaso.
The group said it is surprised that JPROS International which it claimed has never participated in any public bid for contracts in the state, was awarded the contract by the state government, stressing that it violates the public procurement Act.
“The permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works and Transport in his letter to the governor only demanded approval of the negotiated contract award to JPROS International. Surprisingly, Gov. Okorocha approved full payment of the contract sum of over one billion Naira to the construction company,” the group alleged.
It posited that the action of the governor amounts to financial recklessness, stressing that the probe has proved that there could be shady deals in other contracts awarded by the state government and added that the target to get at the deputy governor has exposed Okorocha.
“If the governor had not released the full contract sum over one billion Naira before the commencement of work, Mr. Joseph Dinah would not have had excess cash to throw about as gratification,” the group said.
CILF insist Okorocha carried out the contract process as a personal business without due process as no voucher was raised b y the ministry of Works and Transport.
“The governor’s violation of due process constitutes official misconduct and breach of public trust. He should be impeached,” the group concluded.