EFCC Arrests Imo Ex-Governor, Rochas Okorocha For Questioning

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday evening arrested the former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha for questioning in Abuja.

It was gathered that Okorocha was arrested at about 4pm at his Unity House private office in Abuja after a five-hour standoff with EFCC operatives who trailed him to the location.

A source at EFCC headquarters confirmed that the former governor was arrested for questioning after he refused to honour previous invitations from the anti-graft commission.

“Yes, our operatives went to pick him up today after shunning our previous invitations. He was trailed to his private office in Garki where he was arrested,” the source said.

Similarly, the former governor’s spokesman, Sam Onwuemeodo, confirmed in a statement that his principal is currently being quizzed by the EFCC for clarifications.

“We have been inundated with calls by Media Houses and Concerned Nigerians and beyond, trying to Confirm the reported invitation of Senator Rochas Okorocha by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, later today, being April 13, 2021,” Mr. Onwuemeodo.

Onwuemeodo said the former governor had been invited to clarify issues currently in court.

“The truth is that Okorocha left as the governor of Imo State on May 28, 2019,” the statement said. “And shortly after his exit as governor, Imo State Government wrote Petitions upon Petitions against him.

“The EFCC investigated the petitions and has been in various Courts of the land with Okorocha, to that effect.

“And if the EFCC has decided to invite Okorocha for Clarifications on the matters already in Courts, especially with a new Chairman at the helm of affairs at the Commission, there is nothing wrong with that.

“The matters between EFCC and Okorocha over his governorship in Imo, have been pendent in various Courts of the land.

“At the end of the day, we would know whether the Commission will be withdrawing the Cases in Courts, or would Continue with the Cases already in Courts.

“But to us, the Commission is doing its job and should be given the needed cooperation. And Okorocha being a law-abiding Citizen, would always cooperate with the Commission over the Matters in Courts. EFCC is not a slaughterhouse, but a very responsible institution and should be seen as such.

“We have no reason to complain about the invitation of today, which Okorocha honoured as patriotic and responsible Nigerian.

“Like we stated earlier, the Commission didn’t invite Okorocha today, for the first time.”

KanyiDaily recalls that EFCC had disclosed that it will soon arraign Okorocha for alleged embezzlement of public funds after N7.9bn belonging to Imo State was seized from the former governor.