Mr Okorocha, represents Imo West in the Senate and is a former Imo governor. He had been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Cr...
Mr Okorocha, represents Imo West in the Senate and is a
former Imo governor.
He had been in the custody of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commision (EFCC) over an alleged N2.9 billion fraud case.
He was, however, granted bail by the Abuja Division of the
Federal High Court early Tuesday and was to pay N500 million for his bail with
one surety in like sum.
The possibility of Mr Okorocha appearing before the John
Odigie-Oyegun-led presidential committee for screening, had been a topic of
political discourse following his ordeal in the hands of the EFCC.
Trial Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the former Imo governor
bail after dismissing a counter-affidavit the EFCC filed against him.
The EFCC had urged the court to allow Mr Okorocha to remain
in custody, alleging that he posed a flight risk. The prosecution alleged that
Mr Okorocha not only breached the administrative bail it earlier granted him,
but made himself inaccessible, a situation that led to his forceful arrest on
May 24.
He told the court that the former Imo governor, facing a
17-count money laundering charge, had the capacity to interfere with some of
its proposed witnesses.
However, counsel to the defendant, Solomon Umoh, assured the
court that his client would be available to face his trial.
The defence lawyer stressed that his client, being a responsible
citizen and a presidential aspirant, would not conduct himself in any manner
that would undermine the sanctity of the court.
Mr Okorocha was the last aspirant to be screened by the APC
2023 presidential primary on Tuesday night.
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