Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arrested a presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Owelle Rochas Okorie after forcing their way into his Maitama Abuja residence.
This is coming a few days to the presidential primary during which APC will elect its candidate for the 2023 election. Okorocha, former Governor of Imo State and incumbent Senator from Imo West district.
In a statement on its Twitter handle posted by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC confirmed that its team arrived at the Maitama, Abuja home of the former Governor to effect his arrest.
Uwujaren wrote: “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 24th January 2022 filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9 billion 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, 28th March 2022, Justice Ekwo, before adjourning until 30th May 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”.
