The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said that its operatives laid siege to the residence of former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, because of his refusal to honour the commission’s invitations.
The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren.
The anti-graft agency said Okorocha jumped administrative bail granted him by EFCC.
It also alleged that attempts to arraign Okorocha 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 N2.9billion 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.”
Meanwhile, the Commission, after a long siege to his Maitama residence, finally arrested the former Governor.
Security operatives who accompanied the EFCC officers shot sporadically to disperse a crowd of supporters who had come to show solidarity for the embattled former governor.
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