By Baron Ike
The Civil Society Community in the country has berated Governor Rochas Okorocha over issues of demolitions, pensioners and matters around the security of lives and property in Imo State, seeking particularly for a judicial inquiry into the recent demolition of Ekeukwu Market where some lives were lost.
The CSOs rose from their two day meeting in Owerri the capital of Imo State, condemning the way the governor Okorocha led administration dealt with the issue of Pensioners by withholding part of their entitlement which they said was unconstitutional.
The meeting had in attendance former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, celebrated socialite and musician, Charles Oputa ( aka Charley Boy) , National Coordinator of Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), Okechukwu Nwanguma, Chairman of the Imo State Chapter of the Nigeria Bar Associstion (NBA), Lawrence Nwakaeti, among others.
The deliberations which were held at the NBA office in Owerri also had in attendance pensioners, civil servants, market men and women, and other persons concerned about developments in the state.
The matter concerning the use of state formed security operatives also attracted much attention from the meeting because of how they have allegedly been compromised by the government which uses them as political tool against opponents.
The attendees looked at several issues and condemned in strong terms the recent demolitions, particularly the Ekeukwu Market saga that allegedly led to the death of a 10- year old boy.
The meeting sought for a judicial panel of inquiry to look at the entire matter, particularly the circumstances surrounding the death of some persons and the injury sustained by others, the compensation of the traders and the ownership of the market among others.
At the end of the meeting a communique was to be raised which will be out Monday, September 11 and which will spell out all the areas of agreement.
Meanwhile the Imo State government has taken on the organisers of the meeting like Oputa saying he has always made himself available to be used against Okorocha since 2014.
A press statement from the Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo on Sunday, September 10 said Charley Boy has continued in the same manner he insulted Okorocha in 2014 at the burial of his father, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and is extending the insults to President Muhammadu Buhari using his MUMUDONDO project.
Onwuemeodo said Nwaeketi resorted to attacking Okorocha because the governor refused to support his NBA Chairmanship aspiration.
He also accused Charley Boy of being an ingrate who collected money from the government to bury his father but turned around to use the occasion of the burial to abuse Okorocha to satisfy his pay masters.