The incorporated trustees of a socio-cultural organisation in Imo Oluzurumee Youth Assembly has filed a suit at an Owerri High Court to determine the true ownership of the Eastern Palm University, Ogboko.
The university was one of six higher institutions established by former governor Rochas Okorocha towards the end of his administration in 2019.
The group told the news media on Monday that the university reportedly built with state funds was transferred to Rochas Foundation by the state house of assembly.
The organisation is asking the court to declare that the university is a property of Imo and should be managed and fully controlled by the state government.
Joined in the suit as respondents are the Imo government, attorney general of the state, house of assembly, incorporated trustees of Rochas Foundation and Okorocha.
Eastern Palm University is located in Ogboko, Okorocha’s hometown.
The group claimed in the suit that the state assembly had before the expiration of Okorocha’s tenure, allocated 90 per cent equity shares to the foundation.
The suit also asked for a nullification of Law No. 3 of 2019, by which Okorocha conferred exclusive right and privilege to the foundation.
The group prayed the court to set aside all agreements made in Section 3 of Law No. 3, 2019 between the foundation and the government, describing them as immoral and unconstitutional.
It also prayed for an order of court setting aside and nullifying “any and all appointments made pursuant to any instruments and or agreement or memorandum or decision made pursuant to Law No. 3 of 2019.”
