Former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, on Tuesday, denied viral reports claiming that he was arrested by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to Okorocha, who represents Imo West Senatorial District at the Senate, EFCC only invited him for clarifications on some cases that are in court involving the Senator.
On Tuesday, Okorocha was reported to have been arrested by the EFCC, owing to a disclosure by the Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren.
Uwujaren had disclosed that the former governor was with the anit-graft agency.
However, Okorocha, in a statement released by his spokesperson Sam Onwuemeodo, denied being arrested, stating that Uwujaren was misunderstood.
According to the statement, Okorocha was invited by the EFCC over the numerous petition written against him by the current Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma.
Okorocha also disclosed that he was invited “over his governorship in Imo which have been pendent in various courts of the land.”
The New Diplomat had earlier reported that the invitation of Okorocha by the EFCC, might not be unconnected with the N7.9 billion allegedly linked to several Nigerian banks owned by the former governor.
Recall also that Uzodinma and Okorocha have been at loggerheads over the ownership of the Spring Palm Estate in Owerri, Imo State.
Okorocha had claimed that the property belonged to him and his family members, however the Imo State Government sealed the estate, claiming that the property belonged to the government.
However, Okorocha in the statement, disclosed that he only honoured an invitation by the anti-graft agency.
According to the statement, Okorocha, “honored (the invitation) as a patriotic and responsible Nigerian.”
The statement reads, “We have been inundated with calls by media houses and concerned Nigerians and beyond, trying to confirm the reported invitation of Senator Rochas Okorocha by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, later today, being April 13, 2021.
“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.
“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 pendent 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.
“But 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. EFCC is not a slaughterhouse, but a very responsible institution and should be seen as such.
“We have no reason to complain about the invitation of today, which Okorocha honoured as a patriotic and responsible Nigerian.
“As we stated earlier, the Commission didn’t invite Okorocha today, for the first time.”
