Alleged Fraud: More Trouble for Okorocha As Court Gives New Ruling
- Former governor of Imo state of Nigeria, Senator Rochas Okorocha has been denied bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja
- Okorocha had predicated his bail request on the grounds that he is a presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC and that his political ambition would be jeopardized unless granted bail
- The law court urged the presidential hopeful to notify the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
On Friday, May 27, a Federal High Court in Abuja has refused to grant Senator Rochas Okorocha, who is currently in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s custody bail.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, instead, ordered Okorocha, through his lawyer, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), to put the anti-graft agency on notice, The New Telegraph reports.
Olanipekun had, in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2022, prayed the court to grant Okorocha bail on liberal terms pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed on May 25.
Source: Facebook
The motion filed
The ex-parte motion was dated and filed on Thursday, May 26.
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Justice Ekwo countered the bail request
But Justice Ekwo held that since the matter would be coming up on Monday, May 30, making an order for the release of the lawmaker on bail would be unnecessary.
The senior lawyer also hinted that he had also filed a motion on notice, seeking his client’s bail.
The judge, who fixed May 30 for the hearing of the motions, directed the lawyer to put the EFCC on notice.
Ekwo had, in the last adjourned date, given the anti-corruption commission May 30 as the last time the matter would be adjourned following the EFCC’s complaint that it had been unable to serve Okorocha despite several efforts.
The court threatened to strike out the case by the EFCC
The judge had threatened to strike out the case if the EFCC failed to produce the senator on the next adjourned date, after two adjournments for his arraignment.
EFCC operatives storm Abuja residence of Okorocha
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Abuja residence of Okorocha was stormed on Tuesday by personnel of the EFCC.
A team of the anti-graft agency was seen at Okorocha's house located in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to arrest him.
The commission's operatives were demanding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain who is nursing a presidential ambition should submit himself for arrest or honour an invitation to their office.
I am under hostage, Okorocha cries out over EFCC’s invasion of his house, video emerges
Hours after reports went viral that operatives of the EFCC invaded his Abuja house on Tuesday, Okorocha cried out.
The presidential aspirant on the platform of the APC on Tuesday declared that he is under hostage by operatives of the agency
Okorocha who stated that he had no idea why this was happening admitted that it was rather unfortunate that this would ever occur.
However, the former Imo governor said he plans to address a press conference, adding that the commission cannot stop journalists from coming to his house.
Source: Legit.ng
