Members of the Imo House of Assembly, yesterday, urged Governor Emeka Ihedioha to probe his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha, for allegedly using ₦5billion belonging to the state government to build a university for himself.
Eddy Obinna, representing Aboh Mbaise state constituency, who sponsored the motion, alleged that after building the Eastern Palm University, Ogboko, with state resources, Okorocha appointed his personal staff as chancellor.
“Imo State government expended over ₦5billion tax payer’s money, in building physical structures at the permanent site at Ogboko in Ideato South LGA.
“When the license as a university was issued by National Universities Commission, it became Eastern Palm University, Ogboko and the former governor, personally received the license as governor.
“As at today, the true owner of the university is shrouded in mystery and secrecy, but unofficially, the former governor has claimed that a private investor (Rochas Foundation) owns 90 percent of the university, while Imo State government owns 10 percent.
“We should, therefore, urge the governor to verify the legal status and true ownership of the university. Verify the actual financial involvement and investment made by the Imo State government.
“Verifying whether any third party contributed to its establishment and building and to recover the university for Imo State government, if it is established that it was actually built with Imo State funds,” Obinna stated.
When the speaker, Chiji Collins, put the motion to a voice vote, the majority of the lawmakers backed the motion.