The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has explained why its agents raided the home of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.
On Tuesday, May 24, the anti-graft agency arrested Rochas Okorocha after forcing their way into his Abuja home.
Wilson Uwajaren, the commission’s Public Relations Officer, said in a statement that the former governor was arrested because he jumped bail and refused to accept court processes from the commission.
Okorocha, he claims, jumped an administrative bail and has also evaded his corruption trial.
Wilson stated that on January 24, 2022, the EFCC filed a 17-count charge against Okorocha for diversion of public funds and properties totaling N2.9 billion.
The case was assigned to Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, but efforts to arraign Okorocha were twice thwarted due to his absence.
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.
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.”
