In his 55-minute-long speech, he reiterated his innocence and admitted that he did not want to turn himself in but was finally convinced by aides and advisers that evading justice would not be a good option.

"I will get out of this stronger and innocent, for I will prove (that) they were the ones who (had) committed crimes. I have no way to repay the respect and gratitude you have dedicated to me," Lula said.

"If it was up to me, I wouldn't go (to the police), but I am going because if I don't, they will say 'Lula is fleeing or Lula is hiding,'" he said.

He also criticized the elite in Brazil, reiterating that his arrest is nothing more than a move to remove him from the presidential elections, which will be held in October.

Lula led the election polls so far, despite accusations that he had accepted bribes from a major oil company, Petrobras. Lula was alleged to have been given juicy government construction contracts, including the use of a luxury beachside apartment.

Prosecutors claimed that the apartment was a gift from the company, though they never presented evidence proving his ownership, according to Lula's legal team.