Anayo Rochas Okorocha, the detained former governor of Imo State, will remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until Monday, May 30, when he will be arraigned in court on the federal government’s N2.9 billion money laundering charges.
On that date, Okorocha, a presidential candidate for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), will be arraigned in Abuja’s Federal High Court.
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After a nine-hour siege, EFCC operatives arrested him on Tuesday in his Abuja home.
On Wednesday, sources in the EFCC’s legal department said that Okorocha was arrested as a proactive measure to force him to appear in court after his continued refusal to appear in court to enter a plea in the money laundering case.
On Monday, March 28, Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja threatened to dismiss Okorocha’s N2.9 billion money laundering charges if the Federal Government failed to bring him to court again.
Following the Federal Government’s inability to serve charges on Okorocha as required by law, the judge threatened to dismiss the charges.
The Federal Government had told Justice Ekwo for the second time, through its counsel, Mr Cosmos Ugwu, that he had been unable to see Okorocha and serve him with the charges at the March 28 hearing.
The cousel had informed the court that Okorocha had been evading service, but that he would make efforts and continue to make efforts until the former Imo State Governor was served with the court papers.
He then sought a new adjournment to allow the EFCC to do everything possible to serve the court papers in accordance with the law.
His excuse for not being able to reach Okorocha did not sit well with the Judge, who reminded him that the same story was told on February 22, when Okorocha was supposed to enter his plea.
Justice Ekwo had stated unequivocally that he would not accept the EFCC’s flimsy excuses and would not assist it in carrying out its mandate.
The judge reluctantly granted the request for a second adjournment, warning the EFCC that the case would be dismissed unless they showed seriousness.
According to EFCC sources at the Federal High Court, the anti-graft agency was forced to use force against Okorocha after he allegedly refused thrice to appear at the Commission’s office in Abuja to be served with the charge.
“The EFCC is a civilised organisation that will not take laws into its own hands, but suspects, particularly those in high positions, should always try to respect the law and due process as much as possible so that the law will protect them.”
“Because a court appearance is not a death sentence, no one should take it for granted.” As in the case of Senator Okorocha, suspects in Nigeria today can only run, not hide.”
Nobody will be able to bail the Senator out until his appearance and arraignment in court on Monday, according to the source, who did not want his name used.
Mr Cosmos Ugwu, the EFCC’s lawyer, was unavailable for comment.
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On behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, one A.O Ikota signed the Federal Government’s charges against Okorocha dated January 24, 2022.
In the N2.9 billion money laundering criminal charges, Okorocha, who is currently a Senator representing Imo West in the National Assembly, will stand trial with six others.
The Senator is facing 17 counts of criminal diversion of public funds and properties, according to the government.
