EDITORIAL: The Impropriety Of EFCC-Okorocha Tango In Abuja

The drama that played out in the Abuja residence of the erstwhile governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha leaves much to be desired and exposes the penchant of the elite to see themselves as untouchable. It was like a movie scene as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid a siege to the residence of the lawmaker, vowing not to leave until they have taken him into custody.

EDITOR’S PICK:

Amid the standoff which started when EFCC officials stormed the Maitama Abuja residence at 11:30 a.m, the Commission’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, would issue a statement where he explained that the siege was in response to the lawmaker’s alleged refusal to honour several invitations extended to him, after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the commission.

Okorocha is being tried for allegedly stealing public funds while he was Imo governor. The EFCC had filed a 17-count charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9 billion against him. The case was assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja but attempts to arraign Okorocha was twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who allegedly evaded service of processes.

While the siege lasted, Okorocha addressed a press conference from his bedroom, alleging that the EFCC was trying to frustrate his presidential ambition. He specifically accused the anti-graft agency of preventing him from attending the screening of APC presidential aspirants of which he is one of the hopefuls. His handlers have since gone to town that the invasion and arrest were calculated attempts by political opponents. The lawmaker has always insisted that he has no case to answer before the EFCC, yet there is an allegation on his neck.

When they ran out of patience waiting for the presidential aspirant to come out of hiding, the EFCC went Gestapo as they broke into his room and whisked him away at about 6:30pm. They also fired gunshots into the air following the purported intrusion of sympathisers and supporters of Okorocha.

Such release of gunshots is quite unacceptable as stray bullets could have led to the loss of lives given that the house is situated in a residential area. What happened to using tear-gas canisters to disperse the hordes of supporters if indeed they were preventing EFCC from effecting the arrest?

EKO HOT BLOG however hopes that the operatives have a search warrant or valid court order to invade Okorocha’s home. This is more so as in the circumstance, sections 9,10,12, 13 and 148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) require a search warrant which must be duly signed by a judge, a magistrate or a justice of the peace.

Even if they did, did they inform Okorocha that they have the legal backing to access his premises? Section 149(2), ACJA recommends reasonable force in terms of breaking down the door and windows but what Nigerians saw was the EFCC operatives making their way in through the roof which led to some damages.

Okorocha will be well within his right to go to court and enforce his fundamental human rights. But while he is at that, the lawmaker must understand that nobody is above the law. He is no longer a Governor hence cannot continue thinking that he has immunity from prosecution. This media platform cannot understand why he waited to be forcefully arrested by the EFCC. It can be argued that he tested the patience of the anti-graft agency, and got what he deserved.

We expected Okorocha to have been more than eager to have his day in court as that will afford him an opportunity to exonerate himself from the allegations on his neck, if not guilty. Trying to evade trial and arrest is highly despicable of an aspirant seeking to occupy the highest office in the land. Therefore, rather than crying witch-hunt, the presidential hopeful must first ensure that he is above suspicion like Ceasar’s wife. He can’t be aspiring to be President yet treat institutions of state with disdain as he did the EFCC.

FURTHER READING:

EKO HOT BLOG regrets the propensity of fat cats not to honour invitations extended to them by the EFCC. We recall the case of the now-suspended Accountant General of the Federation, Mr. Ahmed Idris, who the anti-graft agency nabbed on the way after reportedly failing to honour invitations for him to respond to issues connected to the diversion of funds and money laundering activities to the tune of N80 billion. Such irresponsible behaviours must stop.

All citizens must be quick to honour invitations from law enforcement agencies. This country must not be made a lawless society. If those in the lower rung of the society do not hesitate to be taken to the police station or are given the luxury of honouring such invitations at their convenience, neither should the elites abuse the courtesies extended to them. They must honour the invitations of law enforcement agents to clear their names and keep the peace.

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Sylvester Ugwuanyi