Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) has alleged that a former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, evaded fraud service of the 17 counts it preferred against him and five others.
According to the EFCC, Okorocha allegedly conspired with others, including a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and five companies, to steal N2.9 billion public funds.
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Cosmos Ugwu, the EFCC’s Counsel revealed that while all the other defendants were in court for their scheduled arraignment, Okorocha made himself inaccessible.
“My lord, ordinarily, this matter is for arraignment, but unfortunately, the 1st defendant is not in court.
“We made several efforts to serve the 1st defendant with the charge but could not succeed.
“All the other defendants have been served.
“We are therefore asking for a date to enable us to effect service on the 1st defendant,” the prosecution counsel added.
The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, adjourned the matter till March 28.
The EFCC had on January 31, filed a 17-count charge against Rochas Okorocha who was Imo State governor from 2011 to 2019 before a federal high court in Abuja.
The charge against Okorocha came hours after he formally declared his intention to run for president.
