Court fixes November 25 to hear Okorocha’s preliminary objection on alleged fraud

A federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned till Friday, November 25 to hear the preliminary objection of the former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, on the N3.1 billion fraud charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.

When the matter came up, yesterday, Okorocha’s counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), informed the court that the business of the day was to hear the first defendant’s (Okorocha) motion on notice seeking the quashing of the 17-count charge slammed against him.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting the former governor and six others on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, conversion of public funds and money laundering to the tune of N3,147,000,000.

The former governor, who is the senator representing Imo West District in the National Assembly is currently enjoying an N500 million bail and a surety in like sum. The surety, who must be a responsible citizen of the country, resident in Abuja, must have property worth the bail amount within the jurisdiction of the court.

According to Ekwo, Okorocha must not travel out of the country without the permission of the court, must deposit his international passport with the court and must make himself available in the court to face his trial.

Also, the second defendant, Nyerere Anyim (aka Anyim Chinenye), should continue to enjoy the administrative bail earlier granted him by the EFCC for exhibiting good conduct while on bail.

(Guardian)