By Uche Mbah
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been empowered by a Federal High Court in Abuja to seize one of the properties belonging to Rochas Okorocha, a former Governor of Imo State and a sitting Senator representing Imo West.
The presiding Judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, made the order for the Interim Forfeiture of the property situated at Plot 1032 & 1033 Cadastral Zone AO3, Takum Close, Off Michika Street, Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki Abuja.
EFCC had brought an application to the court seeking forfeiture of the said property.
The Commission submitted that the house was suspected to be built from proceeds of corrupt enrichment while Okorocha held sway as Governor of Imo state.
It based its order on an ex-parte application as contained in section 44(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, together with section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 2006.
According to the Commission, in 2018, Abtisal Global Ltd and Archivisual Solution Ltd, companies in which Okorocha is believed to have substantial interest, received N222million from Imo State Government for the development and improvement of the property.
He adjourned the case to April 13, 2022, after ordering publications of forfeiture notice.
