FORMER Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, this afternoon left the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after two nights.
Okorocha’s Special Adviser on Media, Sam Onwuemeodo, confirmed the development in a statement titled ‘Senator Rochas Okorocha, Has Gone Home From The Efcc Office’.
” With Gratitude to God Almighty , we are delighted to inform the general public that , the former governor of lmo state, and by the grace of God, the Senator Representing lmo West senatorial District, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, is out of the office of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC and he is now in his house . He left the Commission’s office, on the afternoon of Thursday, April 15, 2021,” Onwuemeodo said.
“It should be recalled that , we had , in our reaction to his trip to the EFCC office, on the invitation of the Commission assured that , the former lmo State Governor, would fully cooperate with the agents of the Commission , since it was operating within the arm-pit of the law establishing it.
“And we are happy to inform that, the Distinguished Senator, lived upto that vow or promise. We didn’t bother about whether he spent 24 hours or 48 hours at the Commission’s office. We were only keen in his having the needed opportunity to address the allegations contained in the avalanche of petitions written by the lmo State Government, against the former governor.
“Remember also that, we had alluded that, EFCC was not a slaughter house, but a responsible lnstitution, established for the good of the nation and her people. And Okorocha being in his house today, only confirmed our hypothesis that, indeed, the Commission’s office is not an abattoir”.
Onwuemeodo further thanked Nigerians who he said called or sent messages of solidarity, encouragement and support for the Senator.
He added, “We thank those who had also done same, from outside the Country. For lmo people who had organised themselves in groups, offering prayers of intercession, we say to them , thank you. May the Good LORD, continue to bless them all. To the media, may God grant you all, all you need to grow from strength to strength.
” We also pray for EFCC and its management. Together, we must change the growing perspection on the side of some Nigerians, that once any public figure is at the EFCC , either by invitation or by arrest, it is something ominous . That should not be the case”.
Recall that the lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District was on Tuesday summoned by the commission over alleged diversion of N7billion while in office as governor.
Okorocha has had a running battle with successor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over ownership of some assets in Owerri, the state capital which the state government had sealed.
While the government claimed the property, Spring Palms Estate, belonged to it, Okorocha insisted that they were for members of his family.
The former governor had gone to the property with his supporters to unseal it.
The situation later degenerated into his arrest by the Imo State Police Command on the orders of the state government.
Senator Okorocha was later released after the intervention of the presidency.
