EDITOR’S PICK:
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given reasons why its operatives laid siege to the residence of one of the presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Rochas Okorocha.
The former Imo Governor had alleged that operatives of the corruption-bursting agency barricaded his Maitama, Abuja residence on Tuesday to prevent him from attending the ongoing presidential screening exercise of the APC.
“All I am asking is to be allowed to go for my screening because I am a presidential aspirant and our election comes up on Sunday. If I am not allowed to go for this screening, I might miss it,” the lawmaker had said from his bedroom.
Reacting in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, the EFCC explained that the invasion was as a result of Okorocha’s refusal to honour the commission’s invitations, adding that the ex-governor had jumped the administrative bail granted him by EFCC.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were stalled twice owing to the absence of the ex-Governor who reportedly evaded service of processes.
According to the statement, “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.
FURTHER READING:
“In the circumstances, the commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial,” Uwujaren said.
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