IMO NURTW BOSS, UDE IN POLICE NET FOR GROSS MISCONDUCT GOVERNMENT LAND SALES
Anselem Anokwute
The Chairman Imo State Chapter of National Union Of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Comrade Sam Ude from Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo has been arrested for prosecution after investigations over his involvement in the allegations of Land grabbing and illegal selling of government land mapped out for motor Parks at Naze Timber Market Owerri North Council Imo State.
This is in a display of resolutions and determination by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma to embark on an aggressive campaign against corruption within his administrations and to get rid of illegal land grabbing touting and sales.
This commitment is evidenced by the recent apprehension of the purported Chairman of the Imo State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Senior Apostle Comrade Samuel Udeh,(Ezeumuokorobia), reportedly suspected of engaging in an unauthorized transaction involving government-owned land valued at a substantial sum of sixty million naira (N60M).
Reputable sources from Owerri disclose that Governor Uzodinma, prompted by a petition from concerned merchants at the Timber and Allied Traders Market in Naze, issued directives for the detention and investigation of Comrade Ude. The petition alleged that Apostle Udeh, without due authorization, orchestrated the sale of a considerable parcel of land designated for a government-built motor park within the market precincts.
Despite strenuous efforts by the aggrieved merchants to dissuade Comrade Apostle Udeh, from consummating the sale, including appeals to various echelons of governmental transport officials and resorting to legal recourse, their endeavors proved unavailing.
Driven by the apprehension of potential vehicular congestion and public health hazards consequent to the land sale, the merchants, as a final recourse, beseeched Governor Uzodinma for intervention through a meticulously crafted petition.
Governor Uzodinma, renowned for his unyielding stance against malfeasance, meticulously conducted discrete inquiries into the allegations.
Having been persuaded of the gravity of the accusations, he promptly directed the Imo State Police Command to undertake an exhaustive investigation, leading to the apprehension of Comrade Ude as the principal suspect implicated in the illicit disposal of government property.
In response to the gubernatorial initiative, a member of the Market’s Board of Trustees, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed profound gratitude, affirming that Governor Uzodinma’s decisive actions have bolstered confidence in his administration.
Nonetheless, the trustee fervently implored the governor to ensure a judicious resolution of the matter and to administer appropriate sanctions upon those found culpable.
Subsequently, a confidant of Comrade Ude, speaking on the condition of anonymity, conceded that he had honored an invitation for interrogation by the Imo State Police Commissioner.
Emphatically, the confidant reiterated their willingness to await the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
This development underscores Governor Uzodinma’s unwavering commitment to combatting corruption and upholding the sanctity of the rule of law within the precincts of Imo State.
When contacted Imo State Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, ASP, Henry Okoye said that, he has heard about the arrest by the State Criminals Investigation Department (CID) but have not received proper brief as regards the offense and reassured that he will investigate and report back to the public soon.
As Imo public awaits to see the police to do the needful by investigate and prosecution of the victims to use them to set examples that the Governor’s not joking with his zero tolerance to war against corruptions and other related matters in the State.
