‘Why EFCC Can’t Arrest Chidi Lloyd’

Following failed attempts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest the Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Sir Tony Okocha says the anti-graft agency was violating a subsisting court order restraining it from doing so.
He told newsmen in Port Harcourt at the weekend that it would amount to contempt of court if the agency pushes to arrest Lloyd as it attempted during the lawmaker’s trial a week ago.
Though he opined that the state government does not condone corruption or shield corrupt officials, Okocha said the anti-graft agency would have to vacate the ruling or win the appeal in court before embarking on such action.
Okocha’s view is in tandem with that of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Wogu Boms, who berated the EFCC for ridiculing the justice system by planning to arrest Lloyd.
“There is an order that Rivers State Government was able to secure that restrains the EFCC from investigating any Rivers State Government official, and until that order is vacated, it would be a contempt of court for anybody to do so,’’ Okocha remarked.
The Chief of Staff confirmed that actually the EFCC had lurked around the court premises to arrest the lawmaker when he was brought on August 2.
He, however, expressed satisfaction that the court was able to follow the due process, “now, he (Lloyd) has been committed to bail, he would appear in court anytime, any day he is needed’’.
Recall that a Port Harcourt High Court presided by Justice Letam Nyordee had on August 7, granted bail to the lawmaker to the tune of N10million with three sureties, a deposit of his international passport. The matter has been fixed for November 21 for hearing.