Federal high court in Abuja has threatened to strike out a fraud suit brought against Rochas Okorocha, Senator representing Imo west by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Gatekeepers News reports that the EFCC had, on January 31, filed a 17-count charge against the former Governor of Imo State, Southeast Nigeria before a federal high court in Abuja.
The commission filed the charge against Okorocha hours after he formally declared his intention to run for president.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the former Imo governor conspired with others, including a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and five companies, to steal N2.9 billion public funds.
Other defendants in the suit include Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.
When the case came up on February 22, Okorocha was not in court and he did not have any legal representation.
EFCC counsel, Cosmos Ugwu told the court that he has been unable to serve court processes on Okorocha.
Ugwu in a court session on Monday said he was still unable to serve the first defendant with the charge.
“In view of this, we plead with my lord to graciously accommodate us with an adjournment,” he said.
The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo said that he would grant the prayer for another adjournment but if he (Ugwu) came up with the same excuse on the next adjourned date, the matter would be struck out.
“One month plus you are still coming to say you are yet to serve,” the judge said.
“This will be the last time this matter will be adjourned.”
Justice Ekwo said the adjournment was to see how serious the commission was about prosecuting the matter.
He further then adjourned the matter until May 30 for the defendants to be arraigned.
