The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed N2.9 billion fraud charges against former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

This is coming hours after the former governor officially declared his presidential bid for 2023.

Okorocha was charged alongside Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.

In the 17 counts filed on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, EFCC alleged that they conspired to steal N2.9 billion public funds.

In April 2019, Okorocha was grilled by EFCC for two days over alleged financial fraud.

Also in August 2019, EFCC grilled the senator after tracing some properties to him, including residential estates, schools, and shopping malls.

Among the sealed property and investments traced to Okorocha in July 2019 were Rochas Foundation College, Owerri, East High Primary and Secondary school, Owerri which belonged to Okorocha’s first daughter, Uloma Nwosu, and All-In Supermarket, Owerri, Imo State.

In the run-up to the last general elections, the EFCC had placed Okorocha under investigation for allegedly withdrawing over N1bn from the state government coffers to aid the campaign activities of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, during the governorship polls in Imo state.

The commission also arrested the state Accountant-General, Uzoho Casmir, for allegedly assisting Okorocha to withdraw the funds.

More to follow…