The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)on Wednesday said it decided to mark nine choice assets of ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha and his relations because they refused to appear for questioning.
The properties are Royal Spring Palm Hotel and Apartment, a 16 block cum 96 flats and eight bungalow multi-million Naira estate allegedly belonging to Okorochaโs wife; a hospital-owned by Dr. Paschal Obi, former Principal Secretary to ex-governor Okorocha; and East High Academy and East High College, owned by Okorochaโs daughter, Uloma Okorocha-Nwosu among others.
The commission said it at no time โraidedโ nor โharassedโ anyone in the course of marking the properties.
It denied raiding and displacing students of Rochas Foundation College because the school was not in session
It asked Nigerians to disregard the antics of some unscrupulous politicians and fraudsters.
The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja through its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Tony Orilade.
The statement said: โThe EFCC wishes to state that its Enugu Zonal Office on Tuesday traced and marked some properties traced to the former Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha as well as those of his family members and cronies.
โThe marking of the properties which is a fall-out of our painstaking investigation, is as a result of the failure of the suspects to honour the Commissionโs invitation for questioning on the propriety of their acquisition.
โThe properties include: Dews of Hope Hospital traced to Dr. Paschal Obi, former Principal Secretary to ex-governor Okorocha; Market Square Super Market; All in One Shop; and premises belonging to Imo State Broadcasting Corporation now hosting Rochas Foundation College owned by Senator Okorocha.
โOther properties are: East High Academy and East High College, owned by Okorochaโs daughter, Uloma Okorocha-Nwosu; Royal Spring Palm Hotel and Apartment, a 16 block cum 96 flats and eight bungalow multi-million Naira estate traced to Okorochaโs wife.
The EFCC explained that it gave occupants of the properties adequate notice before moving in.
The statement added: โThe commission at no time โraidedโ nor โharassedโ anyone in the course of marking the properties as its operatives, in line with international best practices, informed the occupants of the facilities in good time, before taking the action.
โIt is also pertinent to state that the commission has pictorial and video evidences which put a lie to the claim that Rochas Foundation College was allegedly raided by the EFCC while in session.
โThis could not be so because the school was not in session and could not have had its students harassed as was fed some online media.
โThe commission would ordinarily not bother with any allegation coming from the camp of Senator Okorocha, having noted his penchant for frivolities and propaganda; but this rebuttal has become pertinent in other to clear doubts especially in these days of fake news.
โWe urge all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard the antics of some unscrupulous politicians and fraudsters who seek to distract the Commission from holding them accountable for their nefarious activities.โ
