The Nigeria Police Force has been ordered to produce Managing Director of J-PROS International Limited, Mr. Joseph Dina to answer to criminal charges of fraud and obtaining money from the state government under false pretence filed against him and his company by the Imo State government.
Mrs. Victoria Isiguzo of the Owerri Chief Magistrate Court gave the order in the suit, which was filed by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner, Barr. Soronnadi Njoku to prosecute the contractor for abandoning a major road contract in Owerri after criminally obtaining money in excess of the contract sum.
Maina allegedly abandoned the Sam Mbakwe road project awarded to the company after collecting the total contract of N1.15bn and another N200m overpayment.
During the investigations by Imo State House of Assembly, Dina had accused 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.
The Legislature upon its investigation and in pursuant to its oversight functions as enshrined in the constitution found Agbaso guilty and subsequently impeached him, thus becoming the first deputy governor to be impeached since the creation of Imo State.
In another development, Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has warned contractors handling road projects in the state to expedite action and ensure their completion to avoid disruption by the rains.
The governor gave the warning while inspecting road projects in Okigwe town, frowning at the delay and poor job quality by the contractor. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to punishing contractors who fail to execute projects according to the contract terms and specifications.
