Just In: Rochas Okorocha Sworn In As Senator Representing Imo West

After receiving his certificate of return, the former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has been sworn as a Senator of the federal republic of Nigeria.

Clerk to the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh, conducted the swearing-in ceremony after which Okorocha signed necessary documents.

Naija News, however, recalls that the former governor, who had not been issued a certificate of return, was not sworn in on Tuesday, alongside other lawmakers because his name was not on the list of the national assembly for accreditation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) later issued a certificate of return to him following a court order that compelled it to do so.

The commission had earlier refused to issue the certificate to Okorocha who was declared the winner of the poll held in February.

The returning officer had claimed that he declared the former governor winner under duress.

Although the certificate has been issued to Okorocha, the electoral commission has appealed the verdict of the court.

“If electoral impunity is allowed to flourish, any individual can harass, intimidate and put the Commission’s officers under duress, procure a favourable declaration and be rewarded with a certificate of return,” INEC had said in a statement.