EFCC explains siege to Okorocha’s residence, as he begs agency to let him attend presidential screening

By our reporter| The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday explained why it stormed the residence of a former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

According to the agency, Senator Okorocha has refused to honour invitations after jumping administrative bail.

But while reacting to EFCC’s presence at his residence, accused the agency of holding him hostage in his own home, insisting, he will not submit himself to the anti-graft agency without a warrant.

“Frankly speaking, the situation I find myself is what I call hostage. Policemen and EFCC operatives are currently in my compound to possibly whisk me away and my gate is blocked,” the presidential hopeful said.

“All I am asking for now is to allow me 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.

“I am not an unknown person in the country. I have an address and people know me in the country. All what it takes for the EFCC is to send me an invitation and I will gladly oblige.”

EFCC’s statement is published below…

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.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity

24 May, 2022