…After surmounting resistance
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), finally on Tuesday evening, arrested the former governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, from his Abuja home.
Okorocha is the current senator representing Imo East senatorial district in the National Assembly.
His arrest followed nearly one hour of sporadic shooting, as the operatives tried to gain entry into his Maitama residence.
The operatives eventually gained entry into Okorocha’s sitting room after dispersing his supporters, who were chanting solidarity songs to protest the siege.
Earlier, the anti-graft agency laid siege to Okorocha’s Maitama home from 11.30am, barricading the entrance gate with vehicles while armed policemen were stationed at strategic locations inside and outside the premises.
Before his arrest, Okorocha had described the siege on his residence as an ugly development that does not portray those involved in good light.
In fact, a video clip of the operation, which circulated on social media, showed someone that looked like the lawmaker lying flat on his belly, while praying God to intervene and save his life.
He alleged the Commission’s siege was to stop him from attending the APC presidential screening, which he said was ongoing.
The former governor also explained that no formal invitation was extended to him, prior to the EFCC raid.
Scene of EFCC raid on Okorocha’s Abuja residence
The EFCC, however, insisted that Okorocha was needed to explain his roles in ongoing investigations, alleging that he jumped an administrative bail.
The agency explained that its operatives laid siege to Okorocha’s residence because of his refusal to honour the commission’s invitations.
It insisted that Okorocha jumped administrative bail granted him by EFCC.
It further alleged that attempts to arraign Okorocha were stalled twice owing to the absence of the former governor who reportedly evaded service of processes.
The EFCC made the clarifications through a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren.
“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,” the statement concluded.