After Two Days Of Grilling, EFCC Releases Rochas Okorocha

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly released a former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, after grilling him for two days.

Confirming Senator Okorocha’s release to DailyTrust, the former governor’s aide said his principal was released around 5:45 pm and he’s currently in his Maitama residence in Abuja.

Rochas was whisked away by EFCC officials on Tuesday at his Unity House office located at Garki, Abuja.

Okorocha, who governed Imo between 2011 and 2019, has been accused of embezzlement and misappropriation, an allegation he has refuted.

READ ALSO: EFCC Arrest Rochas Okorocha Over Alleged N106 Billion Fraud

An aide to the former governor, Sam Onwuemeodo, had said since the commission is doing its job, Okorocha is ready to cooperate with the officials.

The former Governor, however, claimed that he was invited by the anti-graft agency.

“To us, the Commission is doing its job and should be given the needed cooperation. And Okorocha being a law-abiding citizen, would always cooperate with the Commission over the Matters in Courts.”

“EFCC is not a slaughterhouse, but a very responsible institution and should be seen as such,” Onwuemeodo said.

Onwuemeodo added that his principal is being investigated because of the new leadership at the commission.

Rochas And Hope Uzodinma Rift

Meanwhile, AllNews Nigeria recalls that on Monday, October 5, 2020, the Judicial Commission of Enquiry (JEC) on Contracts set up by the Imo State Government led by Hope Uzodinma accused Rochas Okorocha of fraud to the tune of N106billion purported to have occurred during his administration of the state.

The JEC panel whose assignment is to probe contracts awarded between 2011 and 2019 under the Okorocha administration said there were shreds of evidence of non-existing and phoney companies that were used to siphon State Government funds.

Governor Uzodimma assured that all those indicted and identified in the report as having played a role in frittering away public funds through criminal ways will be made to return the money.

READ ALSO: Okorocha, Uzodinma In Another Battle Over Ownership Of State Project

Added that the opportunity will be given to them to return the monies as the state is in dire need of funds to deal with pressing developmental issues in the face of dwindling resources.

Reacting to the allegations, Rochas Okorocha and his team challenged Hope Uzodinma to make public any report indicting his administration as he is sure the projects he executed are visible for all to see.

“We challenge the government in Imo, led by Senator Hope Uzodinma to publish the Iheaka report verbatim, so that Imo people in particular and Nigerians in general, could read the report and see how the Panel arrived at N106 billion, which they said that Senator Okorocha should refund,” the statement partly read.

“Again, Governor Uzodinma should please wake up. Your Excellency, wake- up. Time does not wait for anybody, especially in governance.

“You cannot tell Imo people that your achievements at the end of the day is pursuing Okorocha, to satisfy those behind you.

“This is the first government in the history of the State to take off with non-payment of Salaries and having issues with every sector in the State. The governor should face governance and leave Controversies because they do not add up.”