The lingering war over who controls the affairs of the Local Governments in Imo state has taken another dimension with anti graft bodies stepping into the matter.
Following a petition sent to the Presidency on how the Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha received about N57 billion being allocation due to the 27 local Government Areas in the state since a year ago, when he took over and appointed Transition Committee Chairman to take over, Operatives of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are said to be beaming their searchlight on the administration of the Governor.
In apparent bid to express displeasure over the manner Gov Okorocha has been handling their matter after the Appeal Court reinstated them back to office, the Chairmen in a petition to President Jonathan noted that about N57, 699, 891.75 was allocated to the councils between May 20011 and June 2012, adding that despite the huge allocation within the period under review, there are no projects on ground to justify the amount of money collected.
Based on the petition, EFCC operatives are combing the state to unveil the projects, spendings and verify relevant documents related to the matter. Some EFCC operatives were spotted within the Shell Camp Police station comparing notes with colleagues in the state. Their presence may not be unconnected with the petition sent to the presidency on the matter, even as it was impossible to confront them on their mission to the state.
The presence of the men of the anti-graft agency may have forced some of the ousted Transition Committee Chairmen into hiding as most of them operate from hotels and relaxation spots in town where the surreptitiously collaborate with top management council staffers to “arrange and fine-tune” some documents related to withdrawals and expenses. Contractors who were hitherto asked to embark on some jobs without papers are receiving attention while those owed in the past have their papers arranged for payment.
Disturbed by the manner the state government is handling the LG fund, the chairmen led by their leaders in the said petition also sought for non release of further allocation of council fund from the Federal Allocation until proper account has been rendered on the previous allocation received.
