The Owerri Chief Magistrate Court presided by Mrs. Victoria Isiguzo today ordered the police to produce Mr. Joseph Dina, the Managing Director of J-PROS Int’l Limited to face criminal charges filed against him and his company by Imo State Government for fraud and obtaining money from the state government under false pretense.

The suit as filed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner, Barr. Soronnadi Njoku, on behalf of the state government also seeks to prosecute the contractor for abandoning a major road contract in Owerri capital city after criminally obtaining money in excess of the contract sum.

J-PROS had abandoned the Sam Mbakwe Road project after collecting the total contract sum of N1,150,000,000 and another N200,000,000 overpayment.

Mr. Dina had in the course of investigation carried out by Imo State House of Assembly accused the former Deputy Governor and then Commissioner for Works, Sir Jude Agbaso, of demanding and receiving N458M gratification, an allegation he claimed led to the abandonment of the project.

Sir Agbaso was subsequently impeached by the state legislature, thus becoming the first deputy governor to be impeached since the creation of Imo State in 1976.

In another development, Gov. Rochas Okorocha has warned contractors handling road projects in the state to expedite action and ensure completion of their jobs to avoid disruption by the rains.

The governor handed this warning while inspecting road projects embarked upon by the state government Okigwe town. He frowned at the delay and poor quality of job done by the contractor and reinstated the commitment of the present administration to deal ruthlessly with any contractor that fails to execute his/her job according to the contract terms and specifications.

The governor further re-affirmed his determination and commitment to ensure uncommon development towards raising the infrastructural status of the state as well as implement for the overall interest of the people the well-articulated programmes and policies of the rescue mission administration.

•Photo shows Sir Judde Agbaso, who was impeached in connection with the scam.

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