Tobias Sylvester
Former governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha has denied reports that he sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly violating his fundamental human rights.
Rochas Okorocha EFCC
KanyiDaily recalls that on May 24, the EFCC had broken into Okorocha’s home in Abuja and forcefully arrested him, saying that the senator refused to attend his trial.
EFCC also said Okorocha evaded service of court papers in his trial at an Abuja court on charges of conspiracy, stealing, and laundering N2.9 billion of Imo State fund.
On Monday, reports emerged that Okorocha, who is still in EFCC custody, had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and the commission over the invasion of his house.
In the alleged suit filed through his counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) at Abuja federal high court on May 27, Okorocha is asking the court to declare that the siege on his house is unconstitutional and a flagrant abuse of his fundamental human rights.
The senator asked the court to order the respondents to pay him N1 billion as general damages and apologize to him publicly for invading his home in Abuja, depriving him and members of his family access to their private and family life while surrounding his apartment with heavy-armed men.
He further prayed to the court for an order restraining the respondents (jointly or severally) from intimidating him, threatening his life, and arresting or detaining him.
However, a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sam Omwuemeodo, denied the report, saying said that Okorocha had no reason to sue the AGF because his office was not the one who invaded his home nor took him to court.
The statement said that Okorocha and his lawyers were more concerned about ensuring that the ex-governor regains his freedom as soon as possible.
Omwuemeodo said that Okorocha knew those to sue for damages when he comes out from the EFFC custody, if he decides to press charges.
The statement partly read, “We were concerned with the expected hearing of the bail application today when our attention was drawn to the online stories of N1b suit and engagement of five SANS.
“Okorocha has no reason to take either the Attorney General of the Federation or the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, to court and claim N1b damages, over the invasion of his house, since the incident had nothing to do with AGF or his office.
“lf Okorocha comes out of detention and along the line and decides to take legal action to press for damages over the invasion of his residence, he knows those who carried out the action. We do not think he would include the AGF or his office.
“We know that some patriotic human rights lawyers in the country and some of them, highly respected SANs, have been of immense help in dealing with human rights violations in the country, most of the time on their own, to help the society.
“We are, therefore, having the feeling that the renowned Senior Advocates mentioned in the online stories, might have been challenged by the invasion of Okorocha’s private residence by agents of the EFCC and might have also decided to take the bull by the horns.
“We thank them. If Okorocha comes out of detention and decides to walk in that direction, fine. But one fact would be made clear and that is, that the AGF and the office of AGF would not be parts of the action, because they had nothing to do with the invasion of Okorocha’s private residence.
“We have done this to keep the record straight. We are looking forward to seeing Okorocha out of detention by the grace of God and the magnanimity of His LOordship, handling the case.”
KanyiDaily recalls that yesterday, Okorocha pleaded not guilty to the 17-count of money laundering charge filed against him by the EFCC for allegedly diverting funds belonging to Imo state, to the tune of about N2.9billion.
