By Gideon Njoku
Hours after his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, says his arrest was triggered by a series of petitions written against him to the Commission by the Emeka Ihedioha Government.
He has, also, pledged to cooperate with the EFCC, saying the Commission was doing its job. His pledge of cooperation runs contrary to his earlier refusal to honour invitations extended to him by the anti-graft body.
Okorocha, representing Imo North at the Senate, gave the impression that but for the appointment of a new Chairman for the EFCC, he could not have been arrested.
Okorocha was arrested in his private office, Unity House, Abuja, by EFCC Operatives after being on his trail for days. Unconfirmed reports say there was a stand-off between him and the Operatives before he was arrested.
But a release by his Special Adviser, Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, said his Principal went to the EFCC (on his own) to honour an invitation, thus, trying to dispute that Okorocha was arrested in his office.
On why he was arrested, Onwuemeodo said he is being investigated because of the new man at the Commission.
“To us, the Commission is doing its job and should be given the needed cooperation. And Okorocha being a law-abiding citizen, would always cooperate with the Commission over the Matters in Courts.”
Confirming that the Commission has been on Okorocha’s trail, Onwuemeodo said: “The truth is that Okorocha left as the Governor of Imo State on May 28, 2019. And shortly after his exit as Governor, Imo State Government wrote Petitions upon Petitions against him.
“The EFCC investigated the petitions and has been in various Courts of the land with Okorocha, to that effect”
Making light of the arrest, he said his Principal was invited for clarifications on the various investigations.
Onwuemeodo: “And if the EFCC has decided to invite Okorocha for Clarifications on the matters already in Courts, especially with a new Chairman at the helm of affairs at the Commission, there is nothing wrong with that.
“The matters between EFCC and Okorocha over his governorship in Imo, have been pending in various courts of the land.
“At the end of the day, we would know whether the Commission will be withdrawing the Cases in Courts, or would Continue with the Cases already in Courts.”
This magazine gathered that the former Governor was arrested over alleged monumental corruption, in almost all facets of governance, during his Government. They involve billions of Naira,either misappropriated or laundered, including the conversion of Government concerns to his own, and using State funds to develop private concerns.
At the time of writing this report Wednesday morning, Okorocha, who was arrested Tuesday evening, was still with the EFCC.
