On Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant bail to Rochas Okorochawho is currently in the custody of the anti-corruption agency, EFCC.
Judge Inyang Ekwo instead ordered Mr. Okorocha, through his lawyer, Ola Olanipekun, to alert the anti-corruption agency.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that Mr. Olanipekun, in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2022, asked the court to grant Mr. Okorocha bail on liberal terms in pending hearing and determination of motion on notice filed May 25.
The ex-parte motion was dated and filed on May 26.
But Judge Ekwo argued that since the matter would be taken up on Monday, it would be unnecessary to order the lawmaker’s release on bail.
The lead attorney also hinted that he had also filed a motion on notice, seeking his client’s bail.
The judge, who set May 30 for the hearing of the motions, ordered the lawyer to put the EFCC on notice.
NAN reports that Mr. Ekwo, in the last deferred date, had given the anti-corruption commission May 30 as the last time the matter would be deferred following the EFCC’s complaint that it had been unable to serve Mr. Okorocha despite various efforts.
The judge had threatened to dismiss the case if the EFCC did not present the senator on the next adjourned date, after two adjournments for his appearance.
EFCC officers invaded Mr. Okorocha’s residence on Tuesday following what they described as his refusal to comply with the anti-corruption commission’s invitation after it was alleged that he skipped the administrative bail previously granted to him.
Mr. Okorocha was rushed away after a few hours and placed in the custody of the EFCC.
Okorocha, an aspiring APC president, is on trial along with others on charges bordering on money laundering while serving as governor of Imo.
He and others were expected to stand trial before Judge Ekwo on Monday.
(YAYA)
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