Imo State Updates

19/07/2023

This is Emmanuel College Owerri where students sit on the floor to learn & Governor Hope is busy sharing dollar in Abuja.

This man is a curse to Imo….You can’t find any single human development program in this state under his administration. This is 2023 and students are still sitting on the ground to take classes and exams in Imo….So so SAD!

No wonder IMO is nowhere to be found on WAEC rankings anymore…This is Painful to see!

17/07/2023

BREAKING : Gunmen kill Imo monarch

Gunmen on Monday afternoon shot dead the traditional ruler of Nguru Autonomous community in the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Eze James Nnamdi.

The monarch was shot dead at his palace on Monday afternoon when some gunmen invaded his home.

The slain king was said to be receiving a guest, who was identified as chief Ignatius Nwaru when the attackers struck.

The development caused panic in the area as people scampered for safety.

A source who doesn’t want to be mentioned said ” the traditional ruler of Nguru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area was around 3pm shot dead. The traditional who is popularly known as Eze Mmirioma was killed in his palace. This is so terrifying.”

Our correspondent gathered that the slain king’s guest was rushed to an undisclosed hospital where he was being attended to.

Confirming the killing of the traditional ruler, the spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, said that the state commissioner of police, Muhammed Berde, had ordered an investigation into the murder incident.

Okoye said ” The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde has condemned in totality the gruesome murder of Eze Mmirioma, a Traditional Ruler in Aboh Mbaise who died while receiving treatment in the hospital after being shot severally in his house today by gunmen.

“He has set up a high powered investigating team to investigate this case and ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”

17/07/2023

Army intercepts truck load of ammunition en route Anambra

Troops of 192 Battalion Nigerian Army (NA) operating in 81 Division Area of Responsibility have busted an international ammunition smuggling syndicate, while transporting a truck load of smuggled ammunition to Anambra State on Saturday 15 July 2023.

According to the Nigerian Army the troops, who acted on actionable Intelligence conducted a meticulous and rigorous Stop and Search operation along Ajilete-Owode Road in Yewa North LGA of Ogun State and uncovered the illegal ammunition in a truck with Registration number ENU 697 XY, loaded with 720 packets of Red Star Cartridges of 12 Calibre, containing 25 cartridges per packet, totaling 18, 000 cartridges and an additional 250 packets of live (black) cartridges containing 10 packets each, totalling 2500 cartridges of same calibre.

Army spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said the suspects, identified as Mr. Eric Seworvor, a Ghanaian national, and the driver, Mr Lukman Sani, have been taken into custody and are helping with ongoing investigations.

Information gathered during preliminary investigation revealed that the ammunition, which were surreptitiously concealed in a supposed empty truck were imported from Mali, via Idiroko International Border, where the criminals had successfully beaten several other checkpoints en-route their final destination in Onitsha, Anambra State, where they intended to deliver the illegal ammunition. Timely intervention by the vigilant troops however thwarted the chaos that such volume of ammunition would have unleashed on innocent members of the public, if the criminals had succeeded.

The Nigerian Army therefore appeals to all law abiding citizens to continue to support the troops and other security agencies with credible and actionable information, as they combat security challenges across the country.

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja has commended the troops for their commitment and urged them not to relent as they strive in synergy with other services and security agencies to provide safe and secure atmosphere for all Nigerians and socio economic development across the country.

17/07/2023

💥BREAKING

APC Annouces The Resignation Of Senator Adamu Abdullahi And Senator Omisore.

14/07/2023

BREAKING: Court Dismisses EFCC Charges Against Former Imo Governor

Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has dismissed a case preferred against former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice Yusuf Halilu held that similar fraud charges filed by the anti-corruption body against the former governor favoured Okorocha in an earlier judgement.

The EFCC had accused Okorocha of committing fraud while in office as the governor of Imo State between 2011 and 2019.

However, the judge described the charges as an abuse of the judicial process.

A Federal High Court in Abuja on February 6, discharged Senator Okorocha, of N2.9 billion fraud charges preferred against him by the EFCC.

Okorocha had been facing trial alongside a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state, Mr. Anyim Nyerere Chinenye and five companies, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.

The EFCC had alleged that the defendants conspired and diverted funds to the tune of N2.9 billion belonging to the state.

But Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling in February, struck out the EFCC’s suit for being in contravention of Section 105 (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, which gives the Honourable Attorney-General (HAGF) of the Federation the power to recall a case.

According to Justice Ekwo, the directive of the AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, in a letter dated September 12, 2022, to the anti-graft agency to forward the case file as well as the EFCC’s comments on the issues for consideration and review was binding on the commission.

“All that the law required of the respondent (EFCC) was for the respondent when directed by the HAGF, pursuant to any enactment, is to comply and not act as if it is not under the law or is exempted thereby.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the office of the HAGF is founded on the provisions of the constitution and is thereby preserved.

“The controversies and drama surrounding this trial proceeding are needless and it is time to stop it,” the court held.

The judge further held that from the moment the AGF gave the directive to the EFCC, the commission ceased to have the legal authority to prosecute or continue the prosecution of the case.

“In other words, the intervention of the HAGF in any criminal proceedings ends the authority of the prosecuting agency in the matter unless otherwise directed by the HAGF.

“In the end, I find that non-compliance by the respondent with the directive of the HAGF as stated in Exhibit Okorocha 7 is fatal to this proceeding and has rendered it a nullity.

“The respondent is not empowered by any law to continue with this proceeding after the HAGF issued the directive in Exhibit Okorocha 7.

“With Exhibit Okorocha 7, it is only the HAGF that can decide whether or not to charge the defendants upon the case file being remitted to his office as directed,” he added.

20/01/2023

JUST IN: GUNMEN SHOT AND KIDNAPPED IDEATO NORTH LGA CHAIRMAN

Gunmen in the early hours of Friday kidnapped the Sole Administrator of the Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, Chris Ohizu, and two others.

This was after his country home in the Imoko community in Arondizuogu was razed by his attackers.

A source told our correspondent that the council boss was shot before he was whisked away with two others by their attackers.

The source said, “The Sole Administrator of Ideato North was kidnapped last night together with two others after burning his house at Imoko community in Arondizuogu. They shot him on the leg before taking him away. This is a man who came back from a hospital recently. I am devastated now.”

Another source who confirmed the development decried the spate of insecurity going on in the area.

“I have been making this report since last year and early this year till now no single presence of the police anywhere in Arondizuogu and no single arrest. We are now at the mercy of God. ”

This came less than a week after the country home of the spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties, Ugochinyere Imo, was attacked at Akokwa community in the Ideato North LGA, with three persons killed and about 33 vehicles razed.

Also, a man who was about to wed was same last week killed with his brother at Arondizuogu in the Ideato North LGA.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, said he would verify and get back to our correspondent but he had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

14/01/2023

Unknown gunmen attack the house of Ikenga Ugochinyere the 2023 PDP candidate for Ideato North and South house of rep

25/11/2022

http://imoupdates.politics.blog/2022/11/25/money-laundering-trial-okorocha-knows-fate-feb-6/

as court rules on motion to quash charge ABUJA– The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, fixed February 6 to rule on an application a former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, filed…

25/11/2022

http://imoupdates.politics.blog/2022/11/25/alleged-n785m-fraud-court-orders-arrest-of-imo-state-deputy-speaker/

ABUJA– The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, issued warrant for the arrest of the Deputy Speaker of the Imo state House of Assembly, Hon. Amarachi Iwuanyanwu, following his alleged in…

18/11/2022

Apc Presidential Candidate Tinubu Speaking in tongue during Town hall meeting in Imo

17/11/2022

H. E Peter Obi today in Porthacourt

Peter Obi is like a cancer to PDP …… H. E Ayo Fayose ( Fmr Governor of Ekiti State)

08/11/2022

EFCC sealed many Fmr Gov Rochas Okorocha Properties in FCT, Abuja especially JAMESON COURT HOTEL & APARTMENT in Mabushi, Abuja

16/10/2022

BVAS: Probe allegations against Uzodimma’s ‘plot’ — Arewa group

Pan-northern socio-political organisation under the aegis of Arewa Consultative Youths Movement has called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd ), to investigate the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, for allegedly spearheading a plot to sack the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, and deactivate the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

But when contacted, Oguwike Nwachukwu, the Chief Press Secretary to Uzodinma, said those making the allegations had no electoral value.

However, the ACYM in a statement issued on Sunday by its President, Kabiru Yusuf, said it had identified Uzodinma as leading the group of people who were hatching the anti-INEC agenda.

The PUNCH reported that opposition political parties in Nigeria under the aegis of Coalition of United Political Parties, had raised concerns over fresh plots to truncate the 2023 general election through evil means, including stopping the use of BVAS and electronic transmission of results

The CUPP had alleged that plans had been perfected by the perpetrators to create crisis of confidence based on trumped up charges that would lead to the removal of top officials of INEC, including its chairman and other national commissioners who were insisting on the use of the BVAS for the 2023 elections and the “irreversible” use of electronic transmission of the result.

The organisation said it was therefore important for the president as the leader of the All Progressives Congress, which Uzodinma belongs, to convince Nigerians that the plan was not that of his party by disowning the governor.

The statement reads, “We have discovered that Governor Uzodinma is the brain behind the plot to sack INEC chairman and deactivate BVAS.

“We are therefore calling on the president to investigate the governor which belongs to his party.

“This is the only way President Buhari can prove to all lovers of democracy that his party is not behind this Uzodinma’s plot.

“President Buhari should hurry up and disown this governor who is already carrying on as if he has an agenda to truncate the nation’s democracy.”

Nwachukwu told The PUNCH that the Arewa Consultative Youths Movement were among those being sponsored by politicians against Uzodinma.

He said, “Ordinarily we would not have responded to this nonsense if not that the ‘Uzodinmaphobia’ is already catching on those who do not have electoral value and are going about looking for who to blame in the event they meet their electoral woo next year.

“Have you not noticed that they blame Uzodimma for the salt their wives failed to put in their meals? So, would you be surprised at the ridiculous issues they have raised? We know those with such political mindset beacause that is their own way of serving the public, howbeit deceptively.

“I am sure you have come across and listened to an audio video trending on social media where a former governor of Imo State said so long as he is around Governor Uzodinma he will not have peace in government house?

“These are the characters and more who go about raking up all manner of groups like your so-called Arewa Consultative Youths Movememt to insinuate trash about Governor Uzodinma because doing so suits their game plan to continually distract the governor from rendering valuable service to the good people of Imo State.

“But one thing we can assure you is that Governor Uzodinma will remain focused on his job despite the distractions. Imo people are already at home with Governor Uzodinma’s people-oriented programmes and projects as encapsulated in his 3R mantra of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Recovery, and will not be awake to see those who have kept the state down for years continue on that lane.

“The people have long come to terms with the knowledge that Governor Uzodinma did not come to Imo to joke.”

11/10/2022

Flood hits 33 Imo communities, hundreds displaced

Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri

Flood has submerged no fewer than 33 communities in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo state.

The development has rendered uncountable many people in the affected areas homeless.

The 33 affected communities include Abacheke Community, with 14 villages, namely: Ogbedeyi, Ogboru, Okishikpa, Umudeyiezege, Umueze, Umuezukwefi, Umulakpu, Umuogrinya and Umuojioke.

Other communities are Mmahu, Abaeze, Umuoji, Obeakpu, Obiakpu, Etekwuru, Obokofia, Mgbara, Oforola, Umudike, Ekugba, Opuoma, Okwuzi, Mgbede, Aggah, Uzuagbai, Iyomikwu, Iberu.

Others are: Eyoka, Ukpa, Edekamagha, Bridge Ogboru, Nwamjuamuyi, Tumali, Abaraukwu, Olutu, Olubumuocha, Ugutu, Otuocha, Okemgabaga, Iyonminta and Utuogo.

The people of the affected communities spoke to journalists during a tour of the communities in the company of the Coordinator of the Egbema North Development Area, Obinna Ariaga, and officials from the National Emergency Management Agency and appealed to both the Federal and State governments to, as a matter of urgency, come to their aid.

The traditional ruler of Abacheke, Ikeji Bright, who decried the development, said his people were predominantly farmers.

The monarch said, “Government should assist us. We need urgent assistance such as food items, clothing, mosquito nets and other relief materials.

“We need government intervention as soon as possible. Our governor should find a lasting solution to the flood by ensuring that Oguta Lake and Urashi River are dredged as he disclosed recently, and also dredge the two rivers in this area.”

Ariaga disclosed that the communities affected by the flood are now using boats to evacuate human beings and property from their houses to dry land.

He added that the flood had led to the loss of farmlands, plantations and fishing ports in the communities.

A Commissioner in the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, Goodluck Dioke, bemoaned the flooding of the communities and described it as a monumental disaster.

While calling on NEMA to come to the rescue of the communities, he gave the assurance that the Imo State Government would come to the rescue of the communities.

Copyright PUNCH

07/10/2022

This is Akwakuma Newly commission by Uzodimma

05/10/2022

Rev Fr Mbaka Addressed The Adorers as he embark on his journey to the monastery for prayers.

29/09/2022

We know nothing about Imo Orashi River Port — FG

THE Federal Government has denied the proposed Orashi River Port being promoted by the Imo State government, saying “We are not aware of such port.”

Speaking to newsmen at the just-concluded World Maritime Day celebration in Lagos, Minister of Transportation, Engr Muazu Sambo, said neither the Ministry nor the Presidency is aware of such a port.

Sambo also said he would get in touch with Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State to make some enquiries with regards to the port.

He said: “The Federal Government is not aware of the Port, the Ministry is also not aware of such a port.

“I am yet to get in touch with the Imo State governor.

“As far as we are concerned, the Orashi River Port is not known to the government.”

24/09/2022

BREAKING NEWS Former Imo APC Senatorial Aspirant, Ifeanyi Araraume Collapses His Political Structure For Labour Party In The 27 LGAs And All The Political Wards Of Imo State .

21/09/2022

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has disclosed that the security incident at the Eke Ututu market in Orsu Local Government, was a successful neutralization of a illegal bomb factory.

19/09/2022

IMSU LECTURERS DENY PULLING OUT OF ASUU STRIKE

Some academic staff of Imo State University, Owerri have distanced themselves from a trending news report that the university has pulled out from the ongoing ASUU strike.

A terse response from one of the lecturers that I reached out to directly reads thus; ",We have not called off the strike and we are not going to call off any strike. We remain in solidarity with our union and if the governor really wants the strike to end, then he should use his closeness to A*o Rock to get the President to meet the demands of the union."

When I reminded him that the State Government has been paying them their salaries and that the issues at stake have to do with the Federal Government, hence, only Federal Universities should have been on strike, he called me an "ignorant man". He said the State Government has to pay them because whenever the strike is called off, they are expected to cover for period they have been on strike and that State universities stand to benefit from what ASUU is fighting over currently.

"Listen, unionism is about solidarity, about togetherness. If State universities back out from the strike action, the Federal Government would have achieved its aim of breaking our ranks. But, if we stick together and the Federal Government eventually meets up with our demands, then State governments will have no option but to fall in line, or have us to contend with."

There have been unconfirmed reports from social media users linked to the Imo State Government, alleging that the State owned University has backed out of the ongoing strike. This news excited a good number of students and parents who are already getting frustrated with the unending strike action. However, with this denial from a very credible source within the university, the hopes of students would have been dashed.

It is my unchanged opinion that if ASUU must continue with the strike action, then, they should be ready to forfeit their salaries for the period they are at home. The Imo State government should suspend payment of salaries to lecturers who refuse to resume work and pay those who are ready to resume.

My name is Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, I support "No work, no pay".

19/09/2022

*UZODINMA DUMPS KENNEDY IBE AFTER USING HIM FOR HATCHET JOBS.*

*1. IBEH DECLARED NGOR OKPALA, NKWERRE CONSTITUENCY SEATS VACANT.*

*2. HE WAS USED TO APPROVE AND PROCURE LOAN.OF N535M FROM EACH OF THE 27 LGAS IN IMO STATE*

*3. HE WAS USED TO PROTECT THE REGIME FROM CIVIL UNREST OVER THE KILLINGS IN IMO STATE INCLUDING* *THE OTULU 14.*

*4. HE WAS USED TO ENDORSE TINUBU IN LAGOS*

*5. MEANWHILE HE ONLY PARKED INTO THE RENOVATED OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE* *SPEAKER AT PORT HARCOURT.*

*6. INFORMATION HAS IT THAT BEFORE HE WAS MADE SPEAKER, UZODINMA MANDATED* *HIM TO SIGN HIS RESIGNATION AHEAD OF TIME AND HAND TO HIM.*

*7 ENDORSED TINUBU FOR 2023 PRESIDENCY*

*8 PLACED RT HON OKEY ONYEKAMMA (MBAITOLU) AND HON NNODUMELE (ORSU) ON AN INDEFINITE* *SUSPENSION!*

*THE LETTER WAS ONLY BROUGHT OUT BECAUSE HE HAS COMPLETED HIS HATCHET JOBS.*

*MORE REVELATION COMING*

18/09/2022

👆🏼Army personnel working in Yobe State was caught among kidnappers in Imo State. May God Almighty continue to expose the bad people who are in the Nation's Security Agencies.

03/09/2022

See the Hired Generators powering the Concorde Hotels Owerri, where the 80th birthday of Chief Iwuanyanwu is going on.

The generator went off as the Governor mounted the stage to give his speech.

The event was live on Channels Television, AIT, NTA amongst others.

Since 2021, the State Owned Concorde Hotel has been close to ‘moribund’ as state government appointees now live in different rooms and suites without remitting money to the hotel.

26/08/2022

Gunmen set ablaze houses, shops in Imo

Gunmen on Thursday set ablaze houses, shops in some parts of Izombe in the Ogutal local government area of Imo state.

An eyewitness who spoke to Vanguard from the area said the incident started happening from 4:30 pm till 7:30 pm in Izombe.

At the time of filing this story, the reason for the attacks was not made known.

Some of the locations where the attacks took place were mentioned to Vanguard by an eyewitness they include; Central market, Amamuruegede, Eziama, Umuakpa, and Eke-well among others.

But a source who did not want his name mentioned in the report for security reasons, said: “We saw men in a security uniform. They came in with about eight security vehicles fully armed. They drove in at about 4:30 pm.

“When we saw them people were afraid. As it was getting dark, all of a sudden they shot in the air and people started running. They went straight to some selected houses and shops and put fa ire on the buildings. They burnt more than ten houses.”

He continued: “As I am talking to you now, many people have abandoned their houses and fled into the bushes. Some of us don’t know the whereabouts of our children and wives. By tomorrow, we will come out and know the level of damage they have done. Till now, we don’t know the sins we have committed that we deserve this kind of attack.”

At the time of filing this report, the Imo state Police Public Relations Officer, Micheal Abattam, was yet to respond.

25/08/2022

Obasanjo, Wike, Obi, Others Meet In London

Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday, met with the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, in London.

Although details of the meeting were still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, The PUNCH learnt that it was part of negotiations ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Wike attended the meeting with his allies including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, among others.

23/08/2022

Listen to His Excellency Peter Obi Deliver his key note address at the NBA conference at Eko Hotel Lagos State.

22/08/2022

Arrival of His Excellency, Peter Obi to NBA conference at Eko Hotel Lagos State

21/08/2022

Gunmen abduct four Catholic church reverend sisters

Gunmen on Sunday kidnapped four Catholic church Reverend sisters.

A statement issued by The Sisters Of Jesus The Saviour (Generalate) disclosed that the women of God were abducted at the Okigwe-Umulolo area of the expressway.

Sister Zita Ihedoro, the Secretary-General of the religious body, asked all religious faithful to pray for the quick and safe return of the victims.

The statement which was tagged “sad news” read, “sisters Johannes Nwodo, Christabel Echemazu, Liberata Mbamalu and Benita Agu are kidnapped.

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, it is with great pain that we bring to your notice the kidnapping of four of our sisters mentioned above.

“The sad event of their abduction occurred around Okigwe-Umulolo area this morning shortly after the sisters were on their way to thanksgiving mass of our sister.

“We implore for intense prayer for their quick and safe release. May Jesus the savior listen to our prayers and may our mother Mary intercede for the unconditional release of our dear sisters.”

20/08/2022

Gunmen kill artisan, kidnap others in Imo

There was panic in Imo State on Friday evening when gunmen killed an auto mechanic identified as Valentine Enwerem.

He was killed at a place called U-turn after Nkwo Orji market junction on Owerri-Okigwe Road.

After shooting him dead, the gunmen kidnapped the three persons he was carrying in a vehicle.

The development caused panic in the area as the gunmen shot continuously as they made their way out of the scene.

The deceased’s colleagues told our correspondent at his workshop at the Orji Mechanic Village on Saturday, that his killers drove towards the Okigwe end of the road after killing him and abducting the occupants of his vehicle.

One of his colleagues said, “They said they didn’t come for him and asked him to cooperate with them. They later shot him dead and zoomed towards the Okigwe end of the road after kidnapping the people in the vehicle.

“He was from the Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State and his wife sells things besides his workshop. This is very unfortunate. We are pained and highly embittered by his loss.”

Also, two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress were the same Friday evening kidnapped at two locations in the Isiala Mbano LGA of the state.

While Chief Godson Obijiaku was kidnapped at his community in Amauzairi, another politician cm businessman from the Ikeduru LGA, popularly known as ‘Ability’, was kidnaped at a pharmaceutical shop at Amaraku.

The development caused panic in the areas as people ran inside their houses and closed for the day.

A source that does not want to be mentioned said, “Chief Obijiaku, an aspirant for the upcoming LGA Chairmanship election, has been kidnapped.

“As they approached Amaraku, they saw a Tundra vehicle parked in front of a pharmaceutical shop, they stopped, went there and kidnapped Chief Ability and released multiple gunshots as they made their way out of the environment. The area is panicking. Government should do something.”

The spokesperson for the police in the state, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to an inquiry concerning the incidents as of the time of filing this report.

20/08/2022

Imo State Solidarity rally for Obi/Datti Presidential campaign