The Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL) has condemned the Rivers State Government for breaking into the residence of the former Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state, Ibim Semenitari.

The government officials had impounded a vehicle from the residence of the former Commissioner of Information and Communications in the state, Ibim Semenitari.

According to a statement by the state government signed by one Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, in its efforts to recover government property from officials of the immediate past administration in the state, securities agents and government officials took possession of government’s vehicle from the home of the former spokesperson for the Rotimi Amechi administration.

In her reaction, the ex-commissioner said that 10 policemen with machine guns came to her residence without a search warrant and forced their way into her premises to cart away the said vehicle which rightfully belonged to her in line with the monetisation policy of the government.

Reacting to this on behalf of the Coalition, its Executive Chairman, Comrade Debo Adeniran, has described the action of the present government as official robbery, which should not be condoned in the state.

“If anybody steals or lays claims to government’s property, there should be a normal process to be followed for government to take over properties and not through forceful means.

Government should be more skilful in dealing with issues and should not be seen to be vindictive. If Ibim Semenitari or anybody has committed any crime, it is the court that should confiscate the proceeds of the crime; not the government engaging in brigandage.

We are not holding brief for the ex-commissioner neither are we saying government should not claim what belongs to it from anyone that takes it unlawfully, but she should be properly charged. We are not told that she is on the run; she still resides in the state. She should be properly briefed since she claimed that she was not given any notice and was not even around when the officials bombarded her house.

In essence, the action of the Rivers State government is uncalled for and highly reprehensible. As a matter of fact, such act of brigandage should not be seen to have been committed by a government of Rivers State which has a supposed law practitioner at the helm of affairs,” Adeniran said.

SOURCE: Universal Reporters.