By Douglas Princemola
Since his inauguration in 2020, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State initially appeared uninterested in land-related matters. This apparent indifference enabled certain members of his administration to engage in widespread land fraud.
Key plots along major highways such as Owerri/Onitsha, Owerri/Aba, Owerri/Port Harcourt, and Owerri/Okigwe Roads were illicitly sold by Special Advisers, Senior Special Advisers, Commissioners, and other high-ranking government officials close to the Governor. These officials operated with impunity for nearly four years.
Following Governor Uzodimma’s re-election in November 2023 and his subsequent swearing-in on January 15, 2024, at Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, he made a decisive pledge in his acceptance speech to address the rampant issue of land fraud. He strongly condemned the illegal acquisition of land.
About six or seven months ago, Governor Uzodimma took a significant step by ordering the arrest of the former Imo Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Noble Atulegwu Abiaso. Abiaso was held at the Imo State Police Command in Owerri for 40 days before being released. This move was the beginning of Uzodimma’s vigorous campaign against land fraud.
The Governor subsequently dissolved his cabinet and appointed a new set of Commissioners. He personally assumed the role of Imo Commissioner for Lands. This decisive action earned widespread praise from the people of Imo State.
Governor Uzodimma’s rigorous approach led to a series of redeployments, as senior staff in the Ministry of Lands sought transfers to other ministries to avoid scrutiny. His commitment to eliminating illegal land activities continued with the arrest of Mr. Emmanuel Ezeanochie, the President of ISAMATA. Ezeanochie’s arrest led to further revelations about the involvement of other top government appointees in these illicit activities.
On May 18, 2024, it was reported that Hon. Nze Chinasa Nwaneri, the former Special Adviser to Governor Uzodimma on Special Duties, was arrested by armed Police Officers from the Force Headquarters in Abuja at Rockview Hotels. This arrest, ordered by Governor Uzodimma, highlights his dedication to eradicating land fraud in Imo State.
During the 2024 World International Workers’ Day Celebration on May 1, Governor Uzodimma issued a stern warning to civil servants, particularly those in the Ministry of Lands, against tampering with land allocation documents. He reiterated his determination to ensure that anyone involved in land fraud, regardless of their connections, would face severe consequences.
Governor Uzodimma’s unwavering commitment and subsequent actions send a clear message: his administration will take stringent measures against all forms of land fraud. The arrests of high-profile individuals like the President of ISAMATA and Hon. Nze Chinasa Nwaneri underscore his dedication to this cause, with Nwaneri now facing charges and awaiting justice in police custody in Abuja.
Nwaneri’s alleged offenses include involvement in land fraud, forgery of Certificates of Occupancy, and the particularly egregious act of forging the Governor’s signature. These accusations have placed him in direct conflict with Governor Uzodimma, further illustrating the Governor’s resolve to cleanse his administration of corruption and illegal land dealings.
