The member representing Ideato Federal constituency in the House of Reps, Dr Paschal Obi has a case to answer before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over his ownership of a medical facility in the state, even as the anti graft body has explained role in the investigation.
In a statement by the EFCC on their activities in Owerri which saw the shutdown of some facilities owned by persons who were in office in the past administration, the commission in the release titled; Ex-Governor Okorocha; our case, states;
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to state that it’s Enugu Zonal Office on Tuesday July 23, 2019 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 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 fed in 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 refutal 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.