Amid heavy security by its operatives, the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought the former Imo State Governor,
Rochas Okorocha before a Federal High Court in Abuja for arraignment over N2.9B
corruption charges.
Okorocha was driven to the court premises at about 8:45 a.m.
and was immediately led to the court room.
Dressed in his usual green coloured Agbada with a brown cap
to match, the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential aspirant, who is
wearing a pensive mood, was made to sit near a dock where his plea on the fraud
charges against him would be taken this morning.
His usual smiles and waiving of handkerchief to admirers are
completely absent in his mood in the court room.
Some of his family members and political associates who are
in court ahead of his arrival could not get direct access to him due to heavy
security mounted around him.
The aides comprising former Commissioners among others, are,
however, miling around to catch a glimpse of the Senator representing Imo West
in the Senate.
His lead counsel, Mr Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate
of Nigeria, SAN, has also arrived in court with a retinue of other lawyers.
At the time of this report, Justice Inyang Eden Ekwo who is
to handle the case is being awaited in the court.
However, the court Registrar and other workers are already
on their seats.
Okorocha was forcefully arrested on Tuesday in his Abuja
residence by EFCC operatives as part of efforts to ensure his appearance in
court today.
It will be recalled that Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal
High Court, Abuja had on Monday, March 28, issued a threat to strike out the
N2.9 billion money laundering charges against Okorocha should the Federal
Government fail again to cause his appearance in court.
The judge had threatened to throw out the charges following
the inability of the Federal Government to serve charges on Okorocha as
required by law.
At the March 28 proceedings, the Federal Government, for the
second time through its counsel, Mr Cosmos Ugwu, had told Justice Ekwo that he
has not been able to see Okorocha and serve him with the charges.
The Federal Government’s charges against Okorocha dated
January 24, 2022, was signed by one A.O Ikota on behalf of the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Okorocha, who is currently a Senator representing Imo West
in the National Assembly, is to face trial alongside six others in the N2.9
billion money laundering criminal charges.
The Senator is being put on trial by the Federal Government
on 17-count charges involving criminal diversion of public funds and
properties.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com