Tobias Sylvester
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has finally revealed why its operatives invaded the home of Imo State Former Governor, Rochas Okorocha.
EFCC Besiege Okorocha’s Home
KanyiDaily recalls that EFCC operatives had besieged Okorocha’s house located at No. 3, Nyasa Close, Off Ontario Street on Tuesday morning, May 24, to arrest him.
The former governor confirmed that he was being held hostage at his premises, insisting that he will not submit himself to the EFCC without a warrant.
Okorocha, who is the presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had also lamented that the EFCC were preventing him from attending the party’s screening.
Reacting in a statement on Tuesday, EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren said the invasion of Okorocha’s home was linked to the agency’s current case against him.
Uwujaren said Okorocha jumped bail granted him by EFCC, noting that attempts to arraign the senator were stalled twice owing to the absence of the ex-Governor who reportedly evaded service of processes.
The statement reads, “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today May 24, 2022, arrived at the Maitama, Abuja home of a former governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, to effect his arrest.
“The move followed the refusal of the former governor to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the commission.
“EFCC had on January 24, 2022 filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9 billion against Okorocha.
“The case was assigned to Honourable justice Inyang Ekwo of the federal high court, Abuja but attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes.
“At the last adjourned date, March 28th, 2022, Justice Ekwo before adjourning until May 30th, 2022, had warned that it was “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter”.
“In the circumstances, the commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of senator Okorocha and bring him to trial.”
This comes four months after the EFCC filed N2.9 billion fraud charges against Rochas Okorocha, just a few hours after he declared his presidential ambition.
