Headline
Alleged N2.9bn Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Okorocha As Ex-Governor Pleads Not Guilty
…Court Remands Him In EFCC Custody
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a presidential hopeful and former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Okorocha, who currently represents Imo West senatorial district in the National Assembly, was arraigned before Justice Inyang Ekwo on Monday in the nation’s capital.
Channels Television observed that the courtroom was already filled to capacity as of 9am, with several others standing as they await the commencement of the proceedings.
The former governor is being tried on a 17-count charge to the tune of N2.9 billion filed against him by the anti-graft agency.
He was accused of conspiring with others, including a member of the APC and five companies to steal from public coffers, although he has since denied any wrongdoing.
When the proceedings began, the lawmaker took a stand in the dock after which the charges were read to him.
In his response, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. The second defendant in the suit, Anyim Chinenye, as well as the five companies also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Okorocha’s arraignment comes three days after he lost the bid to be admitted on bail, pending the determination of a suit he had instituted against the Federal Government.
He had predicated his bail request on the ground that he was a presidential aspirant, stressing that his political ambition would be jeopardised unless he was granted bail.
But Justice Ekwo, in a brief ruling on Okorocha’s bail application on Friday, said he was not inclined to admit the applicant to bail.
Rather, the judge ordered Okorocha to put the Federal Government on notice to come and defend his detention.
Okorocha has been in EFCC custody since Tuesday last week following a drama that played out when a team of operatives stormed his residence in the Maitama area of Abuja to arrest him.
The team, who insisted that Okorocha must submit himself for arrest or honour a long-standing invitation to their office, later barricaded the residence of the presidential aspirant.
Following a series of drama at the scene, gunshots were heard as the anti-graft agency’s team broke into Okorocha’s house and left with the presidential aspirant to their office.
Meanwhile, Okorocha, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission pending the determination of his bail application.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the remand order on Monday.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and an ally to the ex-governor, Anyim Chinenye, is expected to join Okorocha in the EFCC custody.
Okorocha, Chinenye and five companies were arraigned on 17 counts of money laundering filed by the EFCC.
Ekwo adjourned till Tuesday for the hearing of the bail applications by Okorocha and Chinenye.
He said this on Saturday in a tweet on his X handle, adding that he was surprised at the wide reports that the ADC is the opposition coalition’s platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
”Nigerian newspapers often contribute to our challenges. A group is in the process of pursuing party registration, just like any other Nigerian, but they need to coordinate this with the coalition.
He maintained that ADA has not been adopted by the coalition, stressing that the public will be informed about the appropriate choices and decision reached by the coalition on ADA.
”ADA has not been adopted by the coalition, and when the time is right, the public will be informed about the appropriate choices and decisions. Just be patient with that.,” he wrote
Recall that the Nigeria National Coalition Group (NCG) formally wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, seeking the registration of a new political party – All Democratic Alliance, ADA.
This has sparked speculations that Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufa’i, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi and others would adopt ADA as their platform for the 2027 election.
The Service Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.
According to Umar, the misconduct was detected through the automated passport application system operated by the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, underscoring the effectiveness of ongoing inter-agency cooperation.
“The Service wishes to clarify that this misconduct was uncovered a fortnight ago through reforms introduced in the NIS, which flagged the irregularity.
“This particularly speaks to inter-agency collaboration and cooperation.
“The implicated officers were suspended by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board, CDCFIB, under the leadership of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as part of disciplinary measures, ” he said.
The NCoS spokesman quoted the Controller General of Corrections, Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, as reaffirming the Service’s commitment to discipline, transparency and professionalism across all custodial facilities nationwide.
According to him, the Service is committed to its core mandates of secure custody, humane treatment and the reformation of inmates in line with international standards.
“The Service categorically states that any personnel found engaging in acts of misconduct, corruption or sabotage will be shown the way out of the system,” he warned.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, disclosed this while speaking with journalists on Saturday after the weekly state executive council meeting. It was gathered that the state governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa presided over the meeting.
Ajulo said the proposal would soon be transmitted to the state House of Assembly for necessary legislative action.
He said, ” Kidnapping and cultism have become major threats to safety and public order and strengthening relevant legal frameworks would help deter such crimes and improve the overall security landscape.
” The proposals would soon be transmitted to the House of Assembly for necessary legislative action, including sentencing convicted kidnappers to death.”
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, revealed that the Executive Council approved the construction of two major dual-carriageway road projects in the state.
According to him, the first is the construction of a 24.75-kilometre dual carriageway from Ugbeyin Junction – Okitipupa Market – OAUSTECH – Ugbonla Junction – Igbokoda Jetty.
“The road will feature a 9.3-metre wide carriageway on both sides, a 1.2-metre median, concrete line drains, walkways, asphaltic shoulders in undeveloped areas, a 3-metre utility area, and solar-powered streetlights along the median. The entire road corridor is 28 metres wide, with a total right of way of 40 metres. It will also include modern traffic lights at critical intersections and is designed to carry heavy traffic with a reinforced pavement structure.
” The second project is the construction of a 6.7-kilometre dual carriageway from Supare Junction – Akungba – Ikare Road in Akoko area of the state. The specifications are similar, including a 9.3-metre carriageway on either side, 1.2-metre median, reinforced concrete line drains, walkways, a 3-metre utility area, solar-powered streetlights, and traffic management systems. It is also built to withstand heavy vehicular movement.
“In addition to these, the council approved the provision and installation of 6,000 standalone solar streetlights across the three senatorial districts—2,000 each for Ondo North, Ondo Central, and Ondo South. This is part of the state’s agenda to improve safety and public lighting infrastructure.
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