Former governor and senator, Rochas Okorocha, has faulted corruption charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying he cannot steal from Imo because he is richer than the state. 

“How much is Imo State government money? Imo State is really owing me because I never collected my security votes; I am supposed to collect N8 billion if I have to make claims for security votes I did not collect.”

Mr Okorocha made this statement when speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday evening, adding that being a governor made him poorer. 

“I fed myself throughout in the Government House when I was there, I used my personal cars. Those who say I was broke are liars. If you talk about Nigerians blessed by God, I raise my hand to be one of them. I was Rochas before I became governor. In fact, governor made me poorer,” he said. 

On Monday, the EFCC filed a 17-count charge against Mr Okorocha, accusing him of looting about N2.9 billion from the state.

This comes few days after Mr Okorocha declared his interest to contest for president in forthcoming 2023 election.