TELL Magazine

Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo State and one of the contenders for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC has been arrested by operatives of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The arrest is not unconnected with an earlier allegation and charge that he was not able to explain some N2 billion state money while in office as governor. The anti-graft agency arrested him after its agents shut sporadically into the air at his residence in Abuja and forced a number of other residents out of the house. The operatives had laid siege on the residence of the man who is also a senator since the early hours of Tuesday.
Though he claimed that he was not aware of their mission, as the operatives did not approach his residence with any arrest warrant, EFCC said they were forced to take the step because Okorocha jumped an earlier administrative bail granted him and had refused to make himself available for prosecution. The man had been invited by the EFCC earlier in the year. He was allowed to go but charged to court for allegedly misappropriation of over N2 billion. The judge of the Federal High Court handling the case had expressed frustration after two adjournments without the accused person putting up appearance in court. And the anti-graft agency said the senator had scorned invitations from its office nor did he make it possible for court summons to be served on him.
It was therefore apparent that the operatives sent to arrest him were desperate to get him to their office on Tuesday. They succeeded after about seven hours of laying siege on his residence. When Okorocha remained indoor even after other occupants were chased out of the house, operatives of the EFCC reportedly gained entrance into the house through the roof and took the former governor away.