*Ex-Gov jumped bail to evade trial over N2.9bn fraud – Spokesperson
*Okorocha: No, EFCC is preventing me from attending APC presidential screening in Abuja
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, after laying siege for about nine hours at his residence in Maitama Abuja.
Okorocha was said to have been whisked away at about 6:48pm on Tuesday after the stand-off.
But the former governor had earlier declined to be taken away by the operatives on the grounds that he will not submit himself to the anti-graft agency without a warrant.
He also claimed that the operatives were preventing him from attending the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) screening of presidential aspirants which has been fixed for Tuesday and Wednesday in Abuja, saying that he has been invited for the exercise as one of the aspirants.
But security operatives were said to have broken the entrance doors in order to gain access and consequently arrested the former governor.
Before his arrest, things took a different turn after supporters of Okorocha thronged his premises, singing and chanting his praises.
The security operatives then fired into the air after the supporters refused to leave when they were asked to.
The operatives also chased everyone away, including staff of the senator and journalists.
The EFCC had earlier explained why its operatives visited the Maitama, Abuja residence of Okorocha to effect his arrest on Tuesday, saying that the development was sequel to his refusal to honour its invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted to him by the Commission.
EFCC had on January 24 filed a 17-count criminal charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against Okorocha, following his alleged involvement in diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9billion.
Apart from Okorocha, the EFCC also named Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited as co-defendants to the pending suit.
A statement by the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, further disclosed that the case was assigned to Justice Inyang Ekwo, saying , however, that attempts to arraign Okorocha were twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes.
He added that at the last adjourned date on March 28, Justice Ekwo before adjourning the matter till May 30 had warned that it was “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter”.
On why the operatives have been laying siege on Okorocha’s house, Uwujaren said, “In the circumstances, the Commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial”.
