– Gerry Okolie’s 85 year old mother cries out
It has allegedly been lamentation, sorrow and agony for Gerry Okolie’s 85 year old frail and sick looking mother and siblings, whom the former commissioner, who was also, recently re-appointed, is said to have rendered homeless and subjected to hardship, intimidation and incessant harassment.
According to Gerry Okolie’s mother, Mrs. Mary Okolie, who spoke during the maiden edition of Community Watchdog’s “public court”, series, held in the Orlu office/press centre, last Saturday, 16th December, 2017, Gerry’s rise to prominence has become a curse on the family, instead of blessing. “My son, Gerry has done all he can to kill me, if not the grace of God”.
She revealed that the commissioner has rendered every member of the family homeless and “demolished my 3 room kitchen line”. I am presently, not only homeless, but cook my food on a pavement outside. She further explained that all efforts by kinsmen and the entire community to make him rethink have been futile. According to her, the traditional ruler of Amaifeke and Deputy Chairman, Imo State council of Traditional Rulers, Eze (Dr) Emma Okeke wrote the traditional of their autonomous community, Ihioma, to prevail on Gerry to abide by the decision and resolution of the community to no avail. “He, not only ignored the letter, but refused to go and answer the elders in council. He keeps boasting that with his closeness to Rochas Okorocha’s government, he will always have his way and nothing will happen”.
The sick and frail looking 85 year old Mrs. Okolie also tendered a letter she wrote to the Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha dated 3rd June, 2017. In the letter, titled “A cry for help by a helpless mother: Unlawful and inhuman treatment of a mother by her son and the bad image it portrays for the Imo state government”. The letter which was stamped as having been received by the government house on 16th June 2017, the commissioner’s mother said, “my son Gerry, lost control of himself since he was empowered by the present state government. He chased me out of my late husband’s house just to force me to an early grave. He demolished my apartment, kitchen and also my clothes and other properties, without an alternative and erected his personal building there”. She also tendered pictures of the destroyed properties, copies of which were made available to the Community Watchdog.
Continuing, the woman said, Gerry Okolie’s wicked and inhuman actions to her and her other children have caused her sleepless nights and adversely affected her healthy and yet “my son does not care because he wants me dead at all cost”.
It will be recalled that the matter instituted by the commissioner’s mother, Mrs. Okolie and four of her children against the commissioner, Gerald Okorie, came up recently in an Ihioma customary court.
In their statement of claims, in Suit No. CC/14/2017 filed by their counsel, O.A.U. Eleke Esq., an Orlu based lawyer, dated 22nd March 2017, the plaintiffs, are seeking an order of court, that the plaintiffs and defendant are widow and children of late Chief Michael Okolie and are therefore, all entitled to inherit his estate, which the defendant has forcefully and exclusively kept to himself. They are also, seeking an order of court, directing the defendant to restore the 3 (three) room kitchen line of the first plaintiff, which the defendant unilaterally damaged as their mother, the first plaintiff has nowhere to cook her meal, an order of court, also, directing the defendant, Gerry Okolie, to restore the house of Chief Michael Okolie, currently housing Anthony Okolie (2nd plaintiff), with his household of 7 seven members and one million naira as general damages.
The plaintiffs are also asking the honourable court, to declare that the entire estate of Chief Michael Okolie has not been shared and should be partitioned, amongst his successors/heirs in accordance with the native law and custom of the people of Umuagi, Ihioma in Orlu LGA of Imo State. The case was adjourned for further hearing.
Most people of the area, who spoke to this reporter, on condition of anonymity, frowned at the commissioner’s attitude to his family members, especially his biological mother, whose health, they said has deteriorated so much, because of the pressure and suffering she has been subjected to by her son, Gerry. Others, who also spoke urged the governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to call the commissioner to order and compel him to do the needful, in line with the native law and custom of the community, as directed by their kinsmen and elders-in-council.
When contacted, Gerry’s younger brother, Tony, who was also present at the interview, corroborated all that their mother said. According to him, “Gerry has no respect for anybody. He keeps boasting that with the governor on his side, he can do anything and get away with it and nothing will happen.
Most people who commented on the issue, wondered why the governor has not responded to such letter addressed to him since the 16th June. “We are surprised that the governor, inspite of this subsisting issue bordering on arrogance, wickedness and inhumanity, still went ahead to re-appoint Gerry Okolie as commissioner, without calling him to order”. This, they said portrays the government in very bad light and may negatively affect it’s electoral fortune in the area, come 2019.
