Detained former Imo State Governor, Anayo Rochas Okorocha is
to remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
till Monday, May 30, when he will be arraigned in court over the N2.9 billion
money laundering criminal charges brought against him by the Federal
Government.
Okorocha, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the
ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is to be arraigned before a Federal High
Court in Abuja on the date.
He was forcefully arrested on Tuesday in his Abuja residence
by operatives of the EFCC after over nine hours of siege on the residence.
EFCC’S legal department sources revealed on Wednesday
that the anti-graft agency arrested Okorocha as a proactive measure to make him
appear in court following his persistent refusal to honour court to take his
plea in the money laundering charges.
Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja
had on Monday, March 28, threatened to strike out the N2.9 billion money
laundering charges against Okorocha should the Federal Government fail again to
cause his appearance in court.
The judge had threatened to throw out the charges following
the inability of the Federal Government to serve charges on Okorocha as
required by law.
At the March 28 proceedings, the Federal Government, for the
second time through its counsel, Mr Cosmos Ugwu, had told Justice Ekwo that he
has not been able to see Okorocha and serve him with the charges.
The cousel had informed the court that Okorocha had been
evading service, but that he would make efforts and would continue to make
efforts until he succeeds in serving the former Imo State Governor with the
court papers.
He had subsequently applied for another adjournment to
enable EFCC do everything within its power to serve the court papers, in line
with provisions of the law.
His excuse for not being able to reach Okorocha did not go
down well with the Judge who reminded him that same story was played out on
February 22 when Okorocha ought to have taken his plea.
Justice Ekwo had said categorically that he was not going to
continue to take flimsy excuses from the EFCC and would not help it to do its
job.
The judge grudgingly granted the request for the second
adjournment and warned the EFCC to demonstrate seriousness or else, the case
would be struck out.
EFCC’S sources informed our correspondent at the Federal
High Court premises that the anti-graft agency was forced to apply force
against Okorocha as he allegedly refused bluntly to honour invitation extended
to him thrice to appear at the Commission’s office in Abuja just for purpose of
serving him the charge.
“EFCC is a civilized organization and would not take laws
into its hand but suspects, especially highly placed ones should always try as
much as possible to respect the law and due process so that the law can protect
them.
“Arraignment in court is not a death sentence, so no one
should take court for a ride or for granted. In Nigeria today, suspects can
only run but cannot hide as in the case of Senator Okorocha,” he said.
The source, who did not want his name mentioned, said that
nobody would be allowed to bail the Senator until after his appearance and
arraignment in court on Monday.
Efforts to get EFCC’S lawyer, Mr Cosmos Ugwu comment on the
matter were unsuccessful.
The Federal Government’s charges against Okorocha dated
January 24, 2022, was signed by one A.O Ikota on behalf of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Okorocha, who is currently a Senator representing Imo West
in the National Assembly, is to face trial alongside six others in the N2.9
billion money laundering criminal charges.
The Senator is being put on trial by the Federal Government
on 17-count charges involving criminal diversion of public funds and
properties.
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