x

N2.9bn Fraud: Court Grants Rochas Okorocha N500m Bail

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to a presidential aspirant and former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha.

He was granted bail on Tuesday by Justice Inyang Ekwo in the sum of N500 million and a surety in like sum.

Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order while ruling on the bail application filed by Okorocha who currently represents Imo West senatorial district in the National Assembly.

The former governor is being tried on a 17-count charge to the tune of N2.9 billion filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was accused of conspiring with others, including a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and five companies to steal from public coffers, although he has since denied any wrongdoing.

Okorocha was arraigned alongside his co-defendants on Monday by the antigraft agency before Justice Ekwo in the nation’s capital.

During their arraignment, the former governor, the second defendant – Nyerere Anyim, and the companies indicted all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Thereafter, counsel to Okorocha, Mr Okey Amaechi, prayed the court to release his client on bail, pending the determination of the case against him.

He drew the attention of the court to the fact that his client was roughly arrested last Tuesday before the screening of the presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that his ambition was at risk should he remain in detention.

On its part, the EFCC, through its lawyer, Mr Gbolahan Latona, informed the court that Okorocha raised some issues in his bail application that would require its response.

Justice Ekwo had, thereafter, adjourned the matter until Tuesday to hear Okorocha’s bail application and ordered that he should remain in EFCC custody.

When proceedings resumed today (Tuesday), Justice Ekwo ordered that the surety to be produced by Okorocha must be a responsible citizen who has landed property in the like sum of the bail granted to the presidential aspirant.

The judge also directed Okorocha to deposit his international passport with the registry of the court and should not travel outside the jurisdiction of the court without the court’s permission.

Similarly, he ordered the court registry to inform the Nigeria Immigration Service that Okorocha’s international passport was in its custody.

Justice Ekwo, however, ordered that the former governor should remain in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until his bail conditions were met.

In his response, counsel to Okorocha, Okey Amaechi, informed the court that his client was ready to meet the bail conditions.

For Anyim, the court ruled that he should continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted to him.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Tinubu Appoints Ismael Ahmed as Executive Chairman of Presidential CNG Initiative

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Barrister Ismael Ahmed...

Alleged ₦80.2bn Fraud: EFCC Kicks as Yahaya Bello Seeks Medical Travel Abroad

By Gabriel Udeh The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,...

Why we’re raising concerns over alleged contract scam at NNPCL – Coalition

President Bola Tinubu has been asked to terminate the...

Tinubu Assures Abuja Residents, No More ” One Chance” Attacks

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju President Bola Tinubu has assured Abuja residents...

INEC Sets August 16 for Bye-Elections in 12 States, Resumes Voter Registration

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced August...

Tinubu Hosts Fubara, Wike, Rivers Lawmakers in Fresh Push for Peace

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday convened a closed-door meeting...

Kaduna Govt, SMEDAN Seal N1 Billion Partnership to Support MSMEs

The Kaduna State Government has signed a ₦1 billion...

President Tinubu Appoints Grace Henry as First Female Chair of Nigerian Legion

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Grace Henry, a 60-year-old...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img