The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) explained that its operatives were at the residence of Senator Rochas Okorocha on Tuesday because he jumped administrative bail granted him.
Okorocha had raised alarm about the agency’s presence in his house. He accused the EFCC of holding him hostage.
However, EFCC spokesman Wilson Uwujaren in a statement said the commission was pushed to take action because of the presidential aspirant’s refusal to honour its invitations for questioning on money laundering allegations.
The statement reads: “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.”
