SERAP asks CCB, ICPC to probe Okorocha over ‘N1bn statues of Zuma, Johnson-Sirleaf’

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, (SERAP) has asked Dr Muhammad Isah Acting Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Professor Bolaji Owasanoye Acting Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to “jointly investigate allegations of incompatibility and/or apparent conflict of interest situation, and abuse of office involving Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State in connection with the exercise of his public functions and leadership of the Rochas Okorocha Foundation, and to collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in any such investigation.”

The organization said that “Such investigation would help to improve public confidence in public authorities, and minimize the risks of bad government by public officials.”

In the petition dated 10 November 2017 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni the organization expressed “serious concern that Governor Okorocha may have spent over N1 billion of public funds to build statues of South African President Jacob Zuma and Liberian President Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.”

According to the organization, “the spending on statues and apparent misuse of public resources may have violated constitutional provisions and international standards on code of conduct for public officers. The initiatives cannot be justified under any circumstances whatsoever, especially at a time when Imo state is unable or unwilling to pay teachers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements.”

The petition copied to Ibrahim Magu Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) read in part: “Inviting Zuma and Johnson-Sirleaf to attend the opening of his Foundation and then ‘honouring’ them with statues suggests abuse of office and apparent conflict of interest situation, as such acts were undertaken by Governor Okorocha in the exercise of his public functions to presumably promote and advance the commercial and other interests of the Foundation.”

“SERAP believes that rather than serving the common interest of the public, spending over N1 billion possibly of public funds on Zuma and Johnson-Sirleaf in the context of their participation in the opening of the Rochas Okorocha Foundation would seem to put Governor Okorocha in a conflict of interest situation.”
“SERAP notes that the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party prohibit conflict of interests and set ethical standards for public officers. Indeed, both the Constitution and the Convention require public officers to abstain from all acts that may compromise the exercise of their public office and functions, or are inconsistent with their entrusted positions.”

“Public officers also must discharge their public duties truthfully and faithfully, abide by the constitutional code of conduct, observe the primacy of public interest, and not allow their personal interest to influence their official conduct.”

“The CCB and ICPC should carry out joint investigation in collaboration with the EFCC of the allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of office and apparent misuse of public funds by Governor Okorocha. SERAP also urges the CCB and ICPC to prosecute Governor Okorocha after leaving office if there is relevant and sufficient admissible evidence of abuse of public office against him.”

“Conflict of interest represents a situation where the person exercising a public function has a personal interest of patrimonial or commercial nature, which could influence the objective fulfilment of the duties incumbent on public officers under the Constitution and international standards.”

“Conflict of interest arises from a situation in which a public official has a private interest which is such as to influence or appear to influence the impartial and objective nature of his or her official duties in order to promote private interests, which would be contrary to the public interest.”

“According to reports, Governor Okorocha recently hosted two African presidents—South African President Jacob Zuma and Liberian President Mrs Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and built statues in Owerri to ‘honour’ them. The statues reportedly cost over N1 billion to build. Further, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Zuma Foundation and the Rochas Foundation was signed, while Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf visited the newly established Rochas Foundation College of Africa (ROFOCA).”
http://serap-nigeria.org/serap-asks-ccb-icpc-to-probe-okorocha-over-n1bn-statues-of-zuma-johnson-sirleaf.ngo/

Okorocha the eastern region errand boy of APC.... The second visionless and goalless APC governor, where Yahaya Bello of Kogi state has the first unbeatable record.... We greet u....

SERAP should have asked the Imo State House of Assembly instead. They have direct responsibility over Roachas

Not 520million again? is 1bn now,you guys should just leave this Okorocha for crying out load.

1bn for statue of useless people??, may it never be well with him and his family.

okoroja is such a useless good for nothing buffoon

Apc is a curse that need to be dealt with decisively

I wish it happens but his oga at the top will not permit it believe it or not.

The most useless Governor in the East.

Once a man be in APC
He is a new creature
Who can do no wrong

Infact the police and DSS will be there to protect and guide you
Don't believe me.. Ask Maina

Whenever i read about the amount the foolish governor of my state spent to erect these statues, I cant help but laugh. Ndi Imo we don enter am this time. 1bn naira for the 2 statues, so how much did he spend on the other statues in the state? And this idiot is owing salaries n trying to scam pensioners in the state o

Lol ERAP shouldn't Probe CockRocha yet over Zuma and Johnson-Sirleaf Statues yet..There are still more Statuses to be erect.. Like Evans,Anini,Shina Rambo And King Pharoah Statues

I thought some people authoritatively said it was N10 billion before?... Oh it's now N1billion?.... clowns everywhere!