Rochas Okorocha, Former Governor of Imo State, has been arraigned today before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged N2.9B corruption charges.
Raye24reporters, learnt that understands that the All Progressives Congress, APC 2023 presidential aspirant was brought to the court today by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Recall that the nation’s anti-graft agency last week forcefully broke into the Abuja residence of the Senator representing Imo-central.
The EFCC had forcefully invaded the premises, using teargas to disperse journalists from the compound. The commission accused Okorocha of refusing to honour invitations to him after jumping the administrative bail granted to him following allegations of stealing public funds to the tune of 2.9 billion Naira.
After days of grilling the presidential aspirant, EFCC amid heavy security by its operatives on Monday, drove Okorocha to the court premises at about 8:45 a.m. and was immediately led to the courtroom, Naija News understands.
Dressed in his usual green coloured Agbada with a brown cap to match, Okorocha who is wearing a pensive mood was made to sit near a dock where his plea on the fraud charges against him would be taken this morning.
His usual smiles and waiving of the handkerchief to admirers are completely absent in his mood in the courtroom, Daily Post reported.
Reports, however, revealed that some of the Senator’s relatives and political associates present at the court premises ahead of his arrival could not get direct access to him due to heavy security mounted around him.
The aides comprising former Commissioners among others are, however, milling around to catch a glimpse of the Senator representing Imo West in the Senate.
His lead counsel, Mr Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, has also arrived in court with a retinue of other lawyers, Naija News understands.
However, the court judge, Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo is yet to arrive in the courtroom at the time. Meanwhile, the court Registrar and other workers are already in their seats.
