It has been revealed how a former Senior Special Assistant to the immediate past Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, on Mayoral Affairs, Orlu zone, Ichie Uche Best Mbanaso, allegedly defrauded his kinsmen under false pretence, using government influence to take over others people’s landed properties, especially in his Umuowa community.
The report has it that the former Mayor of Orlu zone, unilaterally embarked on the move without any directive from the government of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, just to acquire or take over any of the said landed properties, located at strategic places in Orlu zone.
It was revealed that Ichie Best Mbanaso, using his former office as the Mayor of Orlu zone frequently issued letters of directive to the affected individuals and communities, stating the government has concluded plans to use such lands for developmental purposes without any form of negotiation or compensation to the original owners of such lands.
In one of the letters dated 23rdJanuary, 2012, addressed to the Traditional Rulers of Nkume Autonomous Community, Njaba LGA, Okpu na Akuma Autonomous Community, Njaba LGA, Udogadi Okporo Autonomous Community, Orlu LGA, Owerre-Ebeiri Autonomous Community, Orlu LGA, Umudioka Owerre Autonomous Community, Orlu LGA, Mbanaso stated that the former Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, had directed that all lands along the Y Junction (Nkume) to Banana Junction and from Y Junction through Umudioka Owerre Umuowa,, Owerre-Ebeiri to Orlu have been acquired by the Imo State government of past administration for development purposes.
In the same vein, the former Mayor of Orlu zone, Ichie Best Mbanaso in a letter to HRH, Eze M.C Duruigbo (JP), Igbonenye IV of Umuowa, dated 23rd August, 2011, stated that the government of Imo State under Governor Rochas Okorocha, has since acquired the land opposite MAWATEC Industry which situates between Umudim and Umudike roads on the Orlu-Owerri express road, for the purpose of building an International Science School for the state.
Also stated in the same letter, was that the land beside MAWATEC industry along Orlu-Owerri express road, has been acquired for the purpose of building workshops for artisans in Orlu, which later became a mirage.
It was gathered that these actions carried out by the former Mayor of Orlu zone, Ichie Uche Best Mbanaso, has caused disaffection among sons and daughters of Orlu zone, who are now regretting why their son could decide to defraud his fellow kinsmen of their landed properties, without any consideration.
It is worthy to note that efforts were made by Community Watchdog Newspaper to reach the former Mayor of Orlu zone, Ichie Best Mbanaso, for his response to the allegations leveled against him, but all efforts made to reach him proved abortive, as at the time of filling this report.
