May 24, (THEWILL) – Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday laid siege to the Abuja home of a former Governor of Imo State governor and presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rochas Okorocha.
According to an aide of the former governor, the operatives, who stormed the house located in Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory allegedly without an arrest warrant, insisted on forcefully taking Okorocha away.
The aide added that the operation was targeted at stopping the former governor from attending the screening of APC presidential aspirants, which was scheduled to take place same day.
This is not the first time the EFCC has invaded the former governor’s residence. While the latest incident may not be unconnected with an alleged criminal diversion of public funds, THEWILL reports that it is coming barely 48 hours after Okorocha held a meeting with other APC presidential aspirants from the South-East to forge an alliance ahead of the party’s presidential primary.
However, the EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said that Tuesday’s operation followed Okorocha’s refusal to honour previous invitations from the Commission.
Uwujaren said Okorocha jumped the administrative bail previously granted him by the EFCC.
“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.
“The case was assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“But attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were twice stalled. At the last adjourned date, which was March 28, 2022, Justice Ekwo, before adjourning until May 30, 2022, had warned that it was “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter.
“In the circumstances, the Commission is left with no other option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial,” he added.
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