By Siyanbola Ololade
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, after gaining forceful access to his house in Abuja.
Okorocha who had earlier refused to be taken away by the operatives, insisting that he will not submit himself to the anti-graft agency without a warrant, was arrested and whisked away on Tuesday evening.
In a statement, the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, stated that the Imo West Senator had ignored all invitations and even jumped bail, leaving the commission with no choice but to arrest him.
At the residence, attempts by the men of the EFCC to enter the main building were snubbed by many of Okorocha’s aides and security detail.
While the arrest lasted, supporters of the former governor amassed outside the compound and began protesting, characterizing the occurrence as a witch-hunt.
Reacting to his ordeal, Okorocha had described the situation as a ploy by his political rivals to prevent him from attending the screening of his party being a presidential aspirant under the All Progressive Congress (APC).
However, the EFCC had filed a 17-count criminal charge on January 24, 2022 edging on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9bn against Okorocha.
Several attempts to arraign the ex-governor to court, were twice stalled due to his absence leading to an evation of service of processes.
Meanwhile, according to Vanguard news, a source in the EFCC disclosed that the APC presidential hopeful may remain with the commission till May 30.
