Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned the former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha in court.
Gatekeepers News reports that Okorocha was made to appear before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
Okorocha, who currently represents Imo West senatorial district in the National Assembly, is being tried on a 17-count charge to the tune of N2.9 billion filed against him by the anti-graft agency.
He was accused of conspiring with others, including a member of the APC and five companies to steal from public coffers, although he has since denied any wrongdoing.
When the charges were read to him, the Senator pleaded not guilty to the charges. The second defendant in the suit, Anyim Chinenye, as well as the five companies also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Gatekeepers News reports that operatives of the EFCC invaded Okorocha’s residence last week Tuesday to arrest him after the court threatened to strike out the case if the agency fails to produce the senator in court.
He had reportedly refused to honour the anti-corruption commission’s invitation after he was alleged to have jumped the administrative bail earlier granted to him.
