The controversy surrounding the ownership of Eastern Palm University at Ogboko in Orlu, Imo state has taken a new turn as the state government has taken control of the tertiary institution said to be owned by former governor Rochas Okorocha.

The Imo state executive council at its weekly meeting held on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, and presided over by the incumbent governor Governor, Hope Uzodinma accepted the White paper Report on Land Use and Related Matters which recognizes that the Eastern Palm University is owned by the state.

An announcement made on Thursday, February 11, by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the Eastern Palm University has been accredited by National Universities Commission (NUC) as the second Imo State-owned University. It warned all those it called ‘fraudulent claimants’ to stay away from the university.

According to the statement, the government's right to the ownership of the university is based on the fact that state money was used to build the school and warned that should the claimants fail to stay away, they would be made to face the full wrath of the law.