As 2015 general election approaches, interested opponents and opposition political parties have tough hurdles to cross as in Imo the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has concluded plans to enact laws that will cage perceived enemies.
According to impeccable sources, Trumpeta learnt that soon, Imo State will have a crime fighting Commission to be named Imo State Economic and Financial Crime Commission ISEFCC.
It was learnt that the State Attorney-General has already drafted the Bill, which would be submitted any time from now to the State House of Assembly as an Executive Bill.
Trumpeta was informed that the first reading will commence immediately, as the Bill has been “Baptized” for quick deliberation, and to be signed into law quickly to come it operation as party politicking kick-starts soon.
Trumpeta unraveled that some of the contents of the Bill, if passed into Law, will authorize a sitting Governor to arrest, prosecute and jail his/her predecessors for financial misdeeds, if found guilty, and such person could be banned for life from participating in Imo’s politics.
These offences will include mismanagement and misappropriation of funds, as well as failed contracts.
As a prelude, a Bill on failed contract Law has passed second reading in the House, and looks set to be signed into Law soon.
The ISEFCC Law will lead to arrest and prosecution by the Body, whoever is investigated and found culpable.
A retired Court Judge or Senior Police Officer may head the organization when ever the Law that guards it is signed into Law.
However, why such a Law would be enacted in the state topped political discussions in Imo, as many believe that any sitting Governor may use it to witch hunt perceived enemies. It was alleged that the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Dr Ikedi Ohakim may be the target, since the incumbent administration has found it difficult to indict the former Governor, including blackmailing EFCC into arresting him to no avail.
But some Legal luminaries who spoke to Trumpeta warned that it was dangerous to enact such a Law simply in pursuit of personal aggrandizement, or to get at enemies, as such Laws usually boomerangs and haunts its progenitor.
But could such a Bill scale through the Imo House of Assembly? A senior politician in the state who wishes to remain anonymous has this to say; “Do we have a House of Assembly? This House of Assembly where the Speaker acts like the Deputy Governor. This present House can pass death sentence on their parents and families provided the price is good”.
