Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday evening arrested Rochas Okorocha, former Imo State Governor in Abuja.
Confirming the re-arrest, Sam Onwuemeodo, the media aide to Rochas Okorocha said the arrest took place at about 4 p.m. at his Unity House private office in Abuja,
On why he was arrested, Onwuemeodo said the senator’s arrest was based on an old petition written by the Imo State Government on how Rochas spent N106 billion on fictitious contracts.
He said, “I don’t think EFCC has a new matter with Okorocha. Remember that after he left as governor, the (Imo) state government wrote petitions against him, the EFCC came and investigated this matter.
“The matter between Okorocha and EFCC has been pending in various courts, it is not a new matter,” he said.
“Unless they must have invited him to come and clarify one or two issues,”
Afriupdate recalls that on Monday, October 5, 2020, the Judicial Commission of Enquiry (JEC) on Contracts set up by the Imo State Government led by Hope Uzodinma accused Rochas Okorocha of fraud to the tune of N106billion purported to have occurred during his administration of the state.
The JEC panel whose assignment is to probe contracts awarded between 2011 and 2019 under the Okorocha administration said there were shreds of evidence of non-existing and phoney companies that were used to siphon State Government funds.
Governor Uzodimma assured that all those indicted and identified in the report as having played a role in frittering away public funds through criminal ways will be made to return the money.
READ ALSO: Rochas Okorocha Behind Imo Attacks – Imo Govt Declares
Added that the opportunity will be given to them to return the monies as the state is in dire need of funds to deal with pressing developmental issues in the face of dwindling resources.
Reacting to the allegations, Rochas Okorocha and his team challenged Hope Uzodinma to make public any report indicting his administration as he is sure the projects he executed are visible for all to see.
“We challenge the government in Imo, led by Senator Hope Uzodinma to publish the Iheaka report verbatim, so that Imo people in particular and Nigerians in general, could read the report and see how the Panel arrived at N106 billion, which they said that Senator Okorocha should refund,” the statement partly read.
“Again, Governor Uzodinma should please wake up. Your Excellency, wake- up. Time does not wait for anybody, especially in governance.
“You cannot tell Imo people that your achievements at the end of the day is pursuing Okorocha, to satisfy those behind you.
“This is the first government in the history of the State to take off with non-payment of Salaries and having issues with every sector in the State. The governor should face governance and leave Controversies because they do not add up.”
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