The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on the Imo State Government to suspend a reported 72-hour quit notice issued to the Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the proposed demolition of the station’s premises.
RULAAC also demanded an independent investigation into allegations of land grabbing and the alleged misuse of government authority by public officials in the state.
The organisation made the demands in a statement issued on October 29, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma.
The call followed a report published by TheNiche on October 28, which alleged that officials associated with the Imo State Government’s Monitoring and Compliance Bureau had given IBC a 72-hour ultimatum to vacate its premises and marked the facility for demolition.
According to the report, the action was taken without any explanation of its purpose or disclosure of an alternative relocation arrangement.
It further alleged that neither the Director-General of the corporation nor the Commissioner for Information was aware of the proposed action.
Describing the development as a matter requiring an immediate and authoritative response, RULAAC demanded clarification from the state government on the authority behind the reported quit notice and the proposed demolition.
The organisation specifically sought an explanation of the role played by Chinasa Nwaneri, who has been publicly identified as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance.
While acknowledging that Nwaneri had announced government land-recovery measures, RULAAC said his designation alone did not establish the specific authority, approvals or justification for displacing a public broadcasting institution.
The organisation also raised concerns over previous allegations linking Nwaneri to disputed land acquisitions and alleged intimidation in different communities in Imo State.
It recalled that in March 2024, a published report detailed proceedings in Suit No. HOW/787/2023, in which the Oparaugo Ajoku family challenged the alleged takeover of Nkporo Farmland.
Nwaneri was reportedly named alongside the governor and other state officials in the suit, with the family alleging that interference with its land occurred at his instigation.
RULAAC further cited a separate report concerning Umuoyima community in 2025, in which community representatives accused Nwaneri of participating in intimidation over disputed land allegedly claimed by the Deputy Speaker, Amara Iwuanyanwu.
The organisation, however, stressed that the allegations required fair investigation and that those accused should be allowed to respond.
It said the recurrence of such allegations raised serious questions about whether government authority had been used to advance private interests connected to public officials.
RULAAC consequently called for an independent inquiry into allegations that disputed land acquisitions in Imo State had benefited serving or former public officials, including any role attributed to Nwaneri.
It insisted that the beneficiaries, authorisations and transactions involved must be established through evidence.
The organisation also demanded that the state government explain who authorised the reported quit notice and proposed demolition, the role played by Nwaneri, and the documented basis of his authority.
It further asked the government to disclose why the IBC premises were required, whether any private beneficiary or commercial development was contemplated, and whether a suitable alternative facility had been secured and equipped for broadcasting operations.
RULAAC also expressed concern about the welfare of IBC workers, the safety of broadcasting equipment and archives, and the need to ensure uninterrupted public broadcasting.
Describing IBC as a public institution serving the information needs of the people of Imo State, the organisation maintained that any decision affecting its premises must demonstrate a clear public purpose and include a credible plan for continuity of operations.
It therefore called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to suspend the reported ultimatum and any proposed demolition or eviction until the relevant approvals and relocation arrangements were made public.
The organisation also urged the government to preserve all records relating to the property, including allocation documents, correspondence, development proposals and agreements with third parties.
It called on the Imo State House of Assembly to exercise its oversight powers by convening a public hearing into the proposed displacement of IBC and the wider allegations surrounding land administration in the state.
RULAAC said legitimate efforts to recover public property deserved public support but stressed that such support depended on transparent decisions, accountable officials and evidence that the public, rather than politically connected individuals, would benefit from the exercise.
