The anti-graft agency had broken into the residence after gunshots were heard in the vicinity.
The EFCC operatives also insisted that journalists must leave the premises, forcefully ejecting everyone in the residence.
Why we stormed Okorocha’s residence – EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday said its operatives invaded the Maitama, Abuja residence of a former governor of Imo state, Senator Okorocha, to effect his arrest.
This clarification is coming after a standoff at the senator’s residence earlier on Tuesday.
The agency said the presence of the EFCC operatives followed the refusal of the former governor to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the commission.
On January 24, 2022, the anti-graft agency filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on allegation of diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9 billion against Okorocha.
The case was assigned to Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja but attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes, the agency said in a statement posted on its Facebook page Tuesday evening.
It said at the last adjourned date, March 28, 2022, Justice Ekwo before adjourning until May 30, 2022, had warned that it was “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter.”
In the circumstances, the commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial.
