Just In : Police Arrest Governor Aide for Land Racketeering

The Imo State Police Command have arrested the Special Adviser on Land Recovery to the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Mr. Paschal Nwakanma, on charges bordering on fraud, following petitions written against him, alleging involvement in corrupt practices and land racketeering

Some of the allegations leveled against the embattled government official include use of unauthorised extra policemen in the discharge of his duties, which is against the number of officers officially assigned to him by the government.

He is also alleged to have collected of N1 million bribe from a member of Imo Hoteliers Association.

The Imo Hoteliers Association forwarded the petition to Governor Uzodinma over what they described as assault, defamation of character and intimidation of one of its members, Mr. Magnus Awarzi.

The petition which was signed by their Chief Servant, Mr. Isidore Chukwunyere, stated that Awarzi, the Chief Executive Officer of Magnesium Hotels, was approached by Nwakamma who accused him of trespass and forcefully and wrongly collected the sum of N1 million from him (Awarzi) under the guise that the state government would pardon his alleged trespass after he had paid the bribe.

They further stated that when Awarzi repeatedly demanded a receipt for the payment, Nwakamma returned the money and got the police to arrest and detain Awarzi for allegedly attempting to offer him gratification (bribe).

Chukwunyere went on to allege that the defamation of character and intimidation of Awarzi by Nwakanma were acts intended to tarnish his reputation and credibility, as well as that of the association.

He called on Uzodinma to investigate the incident and work with relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that legal actions were taken against Nwakamma and his cohorts.

He stated in the petition: “I see the arrest of Awarzi as illegal. It is not justified. I see it from the point of defamation of character. I want Governor Uzodimma to use his administrative ingenuities to seriously look into the matter and ensure that legal actions are taken against Nwakamma and his men.”