Confusion erupted at the premises of the Imo Newspaper yesterday morning when men of the newly established Imo College of Advanced Professional studies, ICAPS, chased away staff of the publishing firm from their office blocks.
An eye witness account revealed that trouble started for the Imo Newspaper workers who publish Statesman Newspapers, a government owned tabloid in Owerri when they arrived this morning and were forced out of their offices by suspected school.
It would recalled that the Owelle Rochas Okorocha administration established ICAPS moments after it came into office and located it at the Imo Newspapers premises on Egbu Road for advanced professional students. With the recent massive renovation and beautification of the premises, ICAPS shared the premises with Statesman until recent development.
A staff of Statesman Newspaper who spoke to Imo Trumpeta on condition of anonymity said that their ordeal in the hands of the new owners started few days ago.
Trouble started when some staff came to the only office they were using for production ICAPS claiming that they have order from the Governor directed them to take possession of all structures. Angered by the development, top management staff of the newspaper and Ministry of Information and strategy waded into the matter and kept the office under lock and key.
The Statesman workers were stunned yesterday morning when ICAPS men allegedly broke the key leading to the office hall and moved in to throw out all their belongings including files, tables and other necessary printing machines. Attempts by the embattled workers to resist their property being thrown out in the rains were resisted by the ICAPS officials who used trained sniffer dogs to harass them.
A female photo – journalist (names withheld) suffered untold hardship in the hands of the rampaging ICAPS henchmen when she attempted to get the picture of the events. Her camera was seized and a colleague who tried to rescue her and the camera was also physically assaulted.
The ICAPS succeeded in taking away the camera until the Permanent Secretary of the Information Ministry who rushed to the premises intervened before her camera was returned but without the memory card.
When our reporter visited the Imo Newspapers premises for on – the – spot assessment, angry workers of Statesmen were holding green leaves wanting to embark on protest march to Government House and Imo State House of Assembly to complain over their plight. While the workers stood outside the premises, their office equipment and personal belongings littered everywhere. The Permanent Secretary and other top staffers were spotted discussing on hushed tones over the development.
Attempts to speak to the ICAPS Director, David Dein failed as he not only denied that the Statesman staffers were chased away with dogs but he was on official assignment and would not speak until after.
