Almost N6 billion out of the N7.9 billion allegedly looted by the former Imo State Governor, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, has been recovered and returned to the State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has disclosed.
The Zonal Head of EFCC Port Harcourt, Mr. Usman Imam, who disclosed this at a media briefing on Thursday, insisted that the former governor will be dragged to court at the end of the investigation.
“The monies were released in batches. Even in the Government of Rochas, N2.7billion was released in March for salaries, then in the PDP Government of Emeka Ihedioha, excess of N2.5billion was released on writing and our insistent of monitoring it to pay salaries and pensions.
“So, they were monies recovered for the State, it has to go back to the State.
“Then when the government of Emeka left, this present government came, there is still a remnant of the money (Excess of N2billion), now we are able to release N514 million last month because of about N1.8 billion is encumbered with a court process.
“This is because some contractors went to court and targeted the funds and the court process is lingering, so they still have about N1.8 billion that is not released because of the court process.
“The N514 million was further released to the incumbent administration of the state to enable it meet its obligations to workers,” he said.
The EFCC boss who further disclosed that some of the assets of the former Imo Governor have been marked for forfeiture at the end of court processes, added that he has been on the case right from when he was in Enugu.
According to him: “The investigation has gotten to advanced level, we are expecting that upon conclusion, we are going to arraign the former governor.
“At the cause of the investigation, we targeted some of his assets in Imo and Abuja. We marked some of these properties in Abuja, we have even filed court processes for interim forfeiture of the assets.
“The target is that at the conclusion of this investigation, he should have his day in court.”
Speaking further on the achievement of the Commission, Imam stated that within the second quarter of the year, the commission recovered N291 million, adding that it has secured 16 convictions out of 22 prosecutions it commenced within the period under review.
“Within the period under review, the Commission was able to recover monetary assets worth N291,777,828.00, $847, 983.00, €390, £10,900 and 500 CFA.
“In terms of forfeiture, the Commission secured the forfeiture of 96 trucks/vessels/barges, albeit on interim basis. Also, 226 drums of Automotive Gas Oil and 1, 000,000 litres of suspected crude oil were finally forfeited to the federal government,” the EFFC zonal head, revealed.
