The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, has revealed the reason why it stormed the Abuja residence of the former governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on Tuesday.
A statement by the commission revealed that Mr Okorocha refused to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail granted earlier by the Commission.
Mr Okorocha was charged of 17 counts bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9billion on January 24 2022.
He was yo be arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja but his absence stalled the process. The EFCC, therefore, stormed his house for the arrest.
“Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on 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 N2.9billion 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.”
Confirming the hostage situation to Channels, Okorocha said “I am under hostage I would say, the EFCC is at my house both the back and the front. I would say, I have enquired if they have an arrest warrant nothing, and I am supposed to be getting ready for screening.
“I don’t know what is really happening, It is unfortunate that this is happening here.”
“I am trying to address a press conference, Of course, the EFCC cannot stop the press from coming into my premises. They are inside my compound but the press is coming inside my house to interview me, they can’t stop them.”
The presidential aspirant who was supposed to be screened today said he would not submit himself to the agency until he sees an arrest warrant.
“I’ll be here until I know what it is, because this is something serious, I want to see an arrest warrant or a court order”, he added.
Operatives of the anti-graft agency had barricaded Okorocha’s residence, stopping every member of his family from leaving the compound.
