Victor Ezeja
…EFCC Charges Against Me Politically Motivated, Okorocha Reacts
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has has filed criminal charges against former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, over allegation of N2.9 billion fraud.
This is even as the former governor reacted, describing the charges against him as politically motivated.
The anti-graft agency on Monday, filed the action at Federal High Court Abuja, few hours after Okorocha declared his intention to contest for position of president in 2023 election on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
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Okorocha who currently represents Imo West Senatorial District in the 9th Senate, is facing a 17 count charge alongside other defendants which include Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.
The EFCC alleged that Okorocha conspired with other defendants to steal the sum of N2.9 billion public fund.
Okorocha Reacts
In a reaction, Okorocha said the fresh charges against was politically motivated.
Speaking at Channels Television’s programme, ‘Politics Today’ which was monitored by Prime Business Africa, Okorocha said the way the anti-graft agency is going about his matter was beginning to look more like it has a political undertone.
He alleged that there is a subsisting court order to protect his human rights which the commission has refused to obey.
His words, “The story of Rochas and EFCC and the story of Rochas and Imo State have been a long-dragging one. Actually, I am not aware of N2.9 billion suit but what I do know is that the stage I find myself with EFCC is that I have an order against EFCC from Federal High Court on my human rights abuses and the EFCC refused to obey that order. Again, the EFCC asked the judge to recuse himself or resign from the case.”
Continuing, he said “It has been one drama or the other but what is happening, I don’t want to say it is politically motivated but it is looking more like it. EFCC is an investigation agency but EFCC should please try and not make it look like a political issue and obey simple court directives. They should try and investigate the matter and get real facts before they start advancing some of the actions they take.
“Now, I am declaring today and they are filing a case against me today, that goes a long way that there is some kind of political undertone in this matter.
“I have my respect for EFCC and I want them to do the proper thing, it will help our nation and the image of our government.”
The senator has been in the commission’s trial list having been grilled over in the past over alleged financial fraud leading to some properties traced to him being confiscated.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
