Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, rejected the former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha’s bail plea.
Gatekeepers News reports that Senator Okorocha was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday.
Okorocha, an APC presidential aspirant, is standing trial on allegations bordering on money laundering while he served as governor of Imo.
Justice Inyang Ekwo who presided over the court, ordered Okorocha, through his lawyer, Ola Olanipekun, SAN, to put the anti-graft agency on notice.
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.
The ex-parte motion was dated and filed on May 26.
But Justice Ekwo held that since the matter would be coming up on Monday, May 30, making an order for the lawmaker’s release on bail would be unnecessary.
Ekwo had 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 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.
Operatives of the EFCC on Tuesday invaded Okorocha’s residence following his refusal to honour the anti-corruption commission’s invitation after he was alleged to have jumped the administrative bail earlier granted to him.
Okorocha has whisked away after some hours and remanded in the EFCC’s custody.
He is expected to be arraigned before Justice Ekwo on Monday.
