Noble Atulegwu, the state Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Physical Planning, has been suspended by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Mbakwe Obi, his Special Adviser/General Manager of the Imo State Housing Cooperation, has also been suspended.
The suspension of the two officials was effective immediately, according to a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Cosmos Iwu, in Owerri, the state capital, on Thursday.
Though the announcement did not specify why the officials were suspended, our correspondent recalls that Atulegwu had been at odds with many communities in Owerri over the purported acquisition of their family and communal estates.
Many villages had protested and petitioned the governor to remove him from office.
The statement said,
“The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has approved the immediate suspension from the office of the Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Physical Planning, Noble Atulegwu.
“His Excellency has similarly approved the immediate suspension from office of the SA/GM Imo Housing Corporation, Mbakwe Obi.”
The spokesperson for the governor, Oguike Nwachuku, also confirmed the development when contacted by our correspondent.