The Imo State Police Command has arrested Mr. Paschal Nwakanma, the Special Adviser on Land Recovery to Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, on charges of fraud following petitions against him alleging sundry corrupt practices and land racketeering.

Some of the allegations against him include use of unauthorised extra policemen in the discharge of his duties, as against the number of officers officially assigned to him by the government; and alleged collection of N1 million bribe from a member of Imo Hoteliers Association. The Imo Hoteliers Association petitioned Governor Uzodinma over what it described as assault, defamation of character and intimidation of one of its members, one Mr. Magnus Awarzi.

The petition, signed by their Chief Servant, Mr. Isidore Chukwunyere, said Awarzi, the Chief Executive Officer of Magnesium Hotels, was accosted by Nwakamma for alleged trespass and forcefully and wrongly collected the sum of N1 million from him (Awarzi) in the guise that the state government would pardon his alleged trespass after he had paid the sum.

He further noted that when Awarzi repeatedly demanded a receipt for the payment, Nwakamma returned the money and got the police to arrest and detain Awarzi for allegedly attempting to offer him a gratification (bribe).

Chukwunyere also alleged defamation of character and intimidation of Awarzi by Nwakanma as acts intended to tarnish his reputation and credibility, as well as those of the association.

He urged Uzodinma to investigate the incident and collaborate with relevant law enforcement agencies to ensure that legal actions were taken against Nwakamma and his possible cohorts.

He said: “I see the arrest of Awarzi as illegal. It is not justified. I see it from the point of defamation of character. I want Governor Uzodimma to use his administrative ingenuities to seriously look into the matter and ensure that legal actions are taken against Nwakamma and his men.” (THISDAY: Text, Excluding Headline)