The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has charged Nigerian senator and former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, with allegations he conspired with others, including an APC politician and five companies, to steal N2.9 billion public coffers, Hotmedia.ng has learned.
EFCC filed the charges, totalling 17, on Monday, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, court documents exclusively obtained by PremiumTimes show.
In addition to Mr Okorocha, other defendants are Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.
The charges were filed about the same time Mr Okorocha was declaring his intention to run for the office of the president in 2023.
Former Imo State Governor and Senator representing Imo West district, Rochas Okorocha, who officially declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2023.
Read Also : Breaking: EFCC Arrests Voice of Nigeria DG, Osita Okechukwu, Over Alleged N1.3billion Fraud
This is as he once again kicked against the zoning of political offices in the All Progressives Congress, appealing to party leaders to allow a level-playing field for candidates no matter their region.
Okorocha said this on Monday in Abuja at a World Press Conference which doubles as the first official declaration of his intention to run for the Office of President after it was made public on the floor of the Senate last week.
He said, “I hear people talking about zoning, I’m not a candidate of zoning, I am a candidate of justice. Maybe the South-East has not been able to present their matter very well before the rest of Nigerians.
“I appeal to my party – APC, to allow a level-playing ground. And the South-East must know that power is not given, it is taken. You must reach out to people who you want to vote for you. But let justice reign.”
The lawmaker promised that, if elected, he will reunite the country; a challenge, he said, previous leaders have been unable to tackle head on.
He also promised free access to education, from basic to secondary school level.
