The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has finalized arrangements to arraign ex-Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha in court on Monday , with the service of the criminal charges on his person in the detention facility.
Okorocha was said to have been handed a copy of the charge on Sunday evening preparatory for his appearance in court on Monday, May 30 to take his plea.
EFCC made the ex-Imo governor who currently represents Imo west district at the senate was forced to personally sign for the charge to clear the legal hurdle for the arraignment.
It was gathered that immediately the former governor acknowledged receipt of the charge, he was permitted to phone about five lawyers on the development and to decide the next line of action.
Okorocha who had absented himself in court twice for arraignment on the excuse that the charge was not personally served to him as required by law.
Meanwhile the anti-graft agency through its lawyer alleged at the Federal High Court in Abuja that Okorocha, upon the administrative bail granted him refused to pick phone calls from the agency while text messages sent to him to report in court were not honoured.
EFCC’S counsel, Mr Cosmos Ugwu could not be reached for comments on the latest development but a source said it was a good development for the agency.
“All we are after is to move him to court on May 30 for the arraignment and we have substantially achieved that with the service of charge on him.
“You will recall that the challenge of EFCC has been on how to get him served and we have crossed that hurdle now. I can confirm to you that Okorocha will be made to appear in court. We will help him to court”, the source said.
Recall that Okorocha was forcefully arrested on Tuesday in his Abuja residence when a video showed the EFCC operatives forcing themselves into his apartment to effect his arrest
It will be recalled that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja had on Monday, March 28, issued a threat to strike out the N2.9 billion money laundering charges against Okorocha should the Federal Government fail again to cause his appearance in court.
The judge had threatened to throw out the charges following the inability of the Federal Government to serve charges on Okorocha as required by law.
At the March 28 proceedings, the Federal Government, for the second time through its counsel, Mr Cosmos Ugwu, had told Justice Ekwo that he has not been able to see Okorocha and serve him with the charges.
The Federal Government’s charges against Okorocha dated January 24, 2022, was signed by one A.O Ikota on behalf of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Okorocha, is to face trial alongside six others in the N2.9 billion money laundering criminal charges.
The senator is being put on trial by the Federal Government on 17-count charges involving criminal diversion of public funds and properties.