Former Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha on Monday finally appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja where he pleaded not guilty to the alleged 2.9 billion naira corruption charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Shortly after taking of his plea, EFCC counsel, Gbolahan Latona pleaded to the trial Judge, justice Inyang Ekwo for an adjournment to enable him assemble his witnesses that will testify during the trial. He informed the court that 15 witnesses have been arranged to testify against the Presidential aspirant under the ruling All Progressive Congress APC saying that most of them reside outside the court jurisdiction.
Okorocha’s counsel, Okey Amaechi told the court that he had filed application for bail on behalf of his client and had also served same on the EFCC. He attempted to argue the application but was opposed by the prosecution counsel who claimed that he intends to file counter affidavit against the bail.
In a short ruling Justice Ekwo adjourned till May 31 and ordered Okorocha to be remanded in EFCC custody pending hearing of his bail application on May 31. In the 17-count charge filed by the EFCC, Okorocha was accused of diverting N2.9B from Imo State Government to his private companies. The alleged fraud was allegedly perpetrated by the defendant and one Anyim Inyerere with the use of their private companies between 2014 and 2016 when Okorocha held sway as the Executive Governor of Imo State.
