Okorocha gives banks 7 days to prove he withdrew N17bn in 3 days

Outgoing Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has again denied claims that he withdrew N17 billion in three days following the declaration of governorship election results in the state.

Okorocha also gave Nigerian banks seven days ultimatum to provide evidence to prove the allegations or otherwise vindicate him.

While interacting with newsmen at the government house in Owerri, he further challenged civil servants in the state to open up on whether his government was owing them.

Recall that the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had raised the alarm over alleged banking transactions leading to massive withdrawals to the tune of over N17 billion in just three days by Governor Rochas Okorocha and his ‘cronies’.

READ ALSO: Okorocha and his son-in-law plotted, destroyed APC in Imo –Uzodinma

State Chairman of PDP, Chief Charles Ezekwem alleged that between Tuesday, 12th March and Thursday, 14th March, 2019, Governor Okorocha had made major withdrawals from Access Bank, Zenith Bank, Unity Bank and Sky Bank.

Furthermore, he said the governor and his cronies had transferred ownership and re-registered over 150 government vehicles to individuals, adding that government properties including furniture and electronics in Government House were being moved out to Ogboko, Ideato South local government residence of Okorocha.

However, Okorocha denied all the allegations. He said: “After that declaration, Imo PDP went to town with the allegation that I have withdrawn N17 billion. It is not possible.

“I have said this time without number, and I gave banks in Nigeria, seven days ultimatum to come and tell the world If I have borrowed from the banks any money not only that, I am not owing any worker in Imo state, I also challenged them in seven days to come out and say the truth.

“I am happy to bow out of government but I want to appeal that there should be peace in the land. There should be tolerance in the land. I hear that they are counting my property, they should also go to Abuja, and count the ones in Abuja.”

The governor went on to say that he was confident that his certificate of return as Senator-elect for Imo West would be given to him, attributing what has been delaying his certificate of return to game of politics.

“I think that the INEC, should do the needful. We are in court and I think that we don’t need much procedure to do the right thing.”

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