The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed the reason its operatives stormed the residence of a former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, in Abuja on Tuesday.
The EFCC said the move was to arrest Okorocha, following the former governor’s refusal to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the commission.
The anti-graft agency made this known via a statement issued by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, a copy of which was made available to The Star on Tuesday.
Uwujaren stated that the EFCC had on January 24, 2022, filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9billion against Okorocha.
He added that the case was assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, noting that several attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes.
The EFCC spokesman said the anti-graft agency was left with no option than to arrest the two-term former governor of Imo State.
The statement read: “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.
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“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 N2.9billion 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,” the EFCC spokesperson stated.
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