The judge, who set May 30 for the hearing of the motions, ordered the lawyer to notify the EFCC. May 27, 2022, Agency Report 2 minutes to read On Friday, a Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant bail to Rochas Okorocha, who is currently in the custody of the EFCC.
Instead, Justice Inyang Ekwo directed Mr Okorocha to notify the anti-graft agency through his lawyer, Ola Olanipekun. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Olanipekun asked the court in an ex-parte motion marked FHC/ABJ/CR/28/2022 to grant Mr Okorocha bail on liberal terms pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed on May 25. The ex-parte motion was filed on May 26.
However, Justice Ekwo ruled that because the case would be heard on Monday, making an order for the lawmaker’s release on bail would be unnecessary. The senior attorney also hinted that he had filed a motion on notice seeking bail for his client.
The judge, who set May 30 for the hearing of the motions, ordered the lawyer to notify the EFCC. According to NAN, Mr Ekwo told the anti-corruption commission that the matter would be adjourned until May 30 due to the EFCC’s complaint that it had been unable to serve Mr Okorocha despite several attempts.
After two adjournments for his arraignment, the judge threatened to dismiss the case if the EFCC failed to produce the senator on the next adjourned date.
The EFCC raided Mr Okorocha’s home on Tuesday following what they described as his refusal to accept the anti-corruption commission’s invitation after he allegedly jumped the administrative bail previously granted to him. After a few hours, Mr Okorocha was whisked away and remanded in the custody of the EFCC. Mr Okorocha, an APC presidential candidate, is on trial alongside others on allegations of money laundering while governor of Imo. On Monday, he and others were scheduled to appear before Justice Ekwo.
(NAN)