In a statement below by Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s Head of Media & Publicity on 24 May, 2022 via EFCC’s official verified Twitter handle, the EFCC explained why its officers visited the home of former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today May 24, 2022, arrived at the Maitama, Abuja home of a former Governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, to effect his arrest. The move followed the refusal of the former Governor to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission. EFCC had on January 24, 2022 filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9 Billion against Okorocha. The case was assigned to Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, but attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were twice stalled, owing to the absence of the ex-Governor who evaded service of processes. At the last adjourned date, March 28th, 2022, Justice Ekwo, before adjourning until May 30th, 2022, had warned that it was “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter”. In the circumstances, the Commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial.

Bail is always at the discretion of the Court. It is a temporal release from custody granted to a worthy defendant charged with a criminal offence to enable him attend his trial while enjoying his liberty. The idea flows from the constitutional presumption of innocence. 

However, where a defendant in a criminal proceeding like Senator Okorocha abuses the bail privilege bu jumping bail, it is one ground to get him arrested and kept in detention, and deny him any further application for bail. Therefore, the defendant is obliged to attend his trial from a designated correctional facility.