Rochas Okorocha, former governor of Imo State, has been sworn in as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mr Okorocha who formally joined his colleagues at the red chamber on Thursday took his oath of office after presenting his certificate of return to the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan.
The former governor could not join his colleagues at the formation of the new 9th Senate because he was unable to present the required document to the leadership of the upper legislative chamber.
Despite winning the senatorial election of Imo West district, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) refused to issue him his certificate when others got theirs.
The electoral body said the declaration which produced Okorocha as the winner of the exercise was done under duress. It later issued the former governor the document on Tuesday on the orders of a Federal High Court which ordered the commission to give the now lawmaker his certificate of return.
While issuing the document, INEC said it will appeal the judgement compelling it to give the former governor the certificate.
