By David Olalekan.
The Imo State Government led by Governor Emeka Ihedioha, has ordered the arrest of the immediate past governor of the state, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, over alleged assault on a government official, Jasper Ndubuaku.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Uche Onyeaguocha, made the disclosure yesterday after the Chairman of the Recovery of Government Properties, Jasper Ndubuaku, was reportedly assaulted at Okorocha’s residence.
The SSG noted that Okorocha had been placed on security watch, while enjoining Imo citizens to apprehend him and alert the state government whenever he’s found in the state.
A video circulating on the internet captured some thugs assaulting Ndubuaku outside Okorocha’s residence on Spibatt Avenue, Owerri.
Okorocha was accused of hiring thugs to beat up the Imo State official who also serves as Governor Ihedioha’s Special Adviser on Security Matters.
Ndubuaku, who narrated the incident to newsmen, revealed he was beaten and thrown into a gutter by some thugs in the presence of security men attached to Okorocha’s residence.
He added that his team had obtained a court order to recover some looted properties stashed in Okorocha’s residence when he was attacked.
“We got a court order to recover stolen properties kept in Okorocha’s house and when we got to his house on Thursday, armed thugs attacked us.
“There are twenty government vehicles in his house, four Speed Boats, one movable crane and generator sets, which we went to recover before the incident.
“We will not give up the battle, we will go back to his house because the property belongs to Imo government,” he said.
In his reaction, the Special Assistant on Media to Okorocha, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo, stated that the chairman of the recovery team, Ndubuaku, was attacked by the former governor’s sympathisers and passersby because he attempted invading Okorocha’s residence without a court order, accompanied by 50 thugs.