A presidential candidate from Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Rochas Okorocha has appeared in court to face corruption charges.
Okorocha is accused of stealing and laundering 2.9 billion naira in public funds between 2014 and 2016, while governor of the south-eastern state of Imo.
The former Governor pleaded not guilt upon his arraignment on Monday.
Recall that Okorocha, a sitting senator, was arrested last week by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency. His supporters believe the arrest was an attempt to derail his presidential campaign. The APC will hold primaries to select its presidential candidate later this week.
The EFCC arrested Rochas Okorocha in Abuja on suspicion of corruption involving the misappropriation of 2.9 billion naira in public funds and property.
Meanwhile, the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) selected former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its Presidential flagbearer on Saturday.
He won, defeating his closest rival, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, governor of oil-producing Rivers state, who secured 237 votes at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Abubakar, 75 was vice president to Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007 – the first Nigerian leader after the end of decades of military rule.
He lost to incumbent President Buhari during the last election in 2019, which he claimed was rigged.
Buhari will not be on the ballot next year when his constitutionally allowed two terms of four-year each, comes to an end.