Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated why it invaded the home of Senator Rochas Okorocha, a former governor of Imo State, on Tuesday, May 24.
Senator Okorocha, according to the agency, has failed to accept invitations after jumping administrative bail.
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The lawmaker has accused the EFCC of holding him hostage in his own home after the agency visited him on Tuesday.
He specifically accused the anti-graft agency of preventing him from attending the screening of APC presidential aspirants in Abuja.
Okorocha was apprehended at his home in Abuja’s Maitama neighbourhood on Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m.
After security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters who did not want the ex-governor detained, he was arrested.
Armed security personnel whisked Okorocha into a white Hilux vehicle.
Protestors had arrived to denounce the former governor’s security siege.
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According to the EFCC’s spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, the siege was launched in order to apprehend Okorocha.
He allegedly breached an administrative bail and refused to be served court papers in his corruption case, according to the report.
The lawmaker is accused of stealing public monies as governor of Imo state.
Uwujaren wrote in the statement;
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 was 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.
