The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has explained why it moved against the immediate past governor of Imo State, now a serving senator, Rochas Okorocha, clamping nine choice properties belonging to him and relations.
In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade, the anti-graft agency said, on Wednesday, that it marked nine choice assets belonging to the ex-governor, his wife, daughter, and others following their refusal to honour the agency’s invitation for interrogation.
The EFCC listed the choice assets as including: Royal Spring Palm Hotel and Apartment, a multi-million naira estate comprising 16 blocks of 96 flats and eight bungalows allegedly owned by former Imo First Lady, Mrs. Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha; two high flying schools-East High Academy and East High College, belonging to Okorocha’s daughter, Mrs. Uloma Okorocha-Nwosu; as well as a hospital-owned by Dr. Paschal Obi, former Principal Secretary to the former Imo State governor, among others.
The EFCC, in the statement, also denied claims that its operatives raided and harassed people while sealing the properties. It also rubbished another allegation that it raided and displaced students of Rochas Foundation College because the school was on holidays.
Here are excerpts from the statement:
“The EFCC wishes to state that its Enugu Zonal Office on Tuesday traced and marked some properties traced to the former Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha as well as those of his family members and cronies.
“The marking of the properties which is a fall-out of our painstaking investigation, is as a result of the failure of the suspects to honour the Commission’s invitation for questioning on the propriety of their acquisition.
“The properties include: Dews of Hope Hospital traced to Dr. Paschal Obi, former Principal Secretary to ex-governor Okorocha; Market Square Super Market; All in One Shop; and premises belonging to Imo State Broadcasting Corporation now hosting Rochas Foundation College owned by Senator Okorocha.
“Other properties are: East High Academy and East High College, owned by Okorocha’s daughter, Uloma Okorocha-Nwosu; Royal Spring Palm Hotel and Apartment, a 16 block cum 96 flats and eight bungalow multi-million Naira estate traced to Okorocha’s wife.
The EFCC further explained that it gave occupants of the properties adequate notice before moving in, adding: “The commission at no time “raided” nor “harassed” anyone in the course of marking the properties as its operatives, in line with international best practices, informed the occupants of the facilities in good time, before taking the action.
“It is also pertinent to state that the commission has pictorial and video evidences which put a lie to the claim that Rochas Foundation College was allegedly raided by the EFCC while in session.
“This could not be so because the school was not in session and could not have had its students harassed as was fed some online media.
“The commission would ordinarily not bother with any allegation coming from the camp of Senator Okorocha, having noted his penchant for frivolities and propaganda; but this rebuttal has become pertinent in order to clear doubts especially in these days of fake news.
“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard the antics of some unscrupulous politicians and fraudsters who seek to distract the Commission from holding them accountable for their nefarious activities.”
