Choice assets: Why we moved against Okorocha, family members – EFCC

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 Okorocha’s 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 Okorocha’s
daughter, Uloma Okorocha-Nwosu among others.

The commission said it at no time “raided” nor “harassed” 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: “The 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.

“The 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 Commission’s invitation for questioning on
the propriety of their acquisition.

“The 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.

“Other properties are: East High Academy and East High College,
owned by Okorocha’s 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 Okorocha’s wife.

The EFCC explained that it gave occupants of the properties
adequate notice before moving in.

The statement added: “The commission at no time “raided” nor
“harassed” 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.

“It 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.

“This 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.

“The 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.

“We 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.”

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