A former Governor of Imo State, Senator representing Imo State, and a Presidential Aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Rochas Okorocha, has thanked a Federal High Court Judge, Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo, for granting him bail.
Okorocha has been under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, since May 24 when he was arrested in his Maitama, Abuja residence, in an unconventional manner for refusing to open the door for the operatives when they came calling. They went in to arrest after climbing in through the ceiling.
The former Governor was arraigned in Court on Monday May 30, but the Judge adjourned hearing for bail to Tuesday, May 31.
After the arguments for, and against the bail, Inyang said he was persuaded to grant him bail. He proceeded to do so to the tune of N500m, and a surety who owns a property in Abuja worth N500m.
In a statement announcing the good news of the bail granted Okorocha, his Media Adviser, Sam Onwuemeodo, thanked Justice Ekwo for his magnanimity in granting Okorocha bail.
In another Statement, Okorocha denied the story making the rounds on a number of platforms, that he has sued the EFCC and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, for illegally breaking into his house to effect his arrest.
Thanking Justice Ekwo, Okorocha said:
“…Justice Ekwo, magnanimously granted bail to the former governor of lmo state and Senator Representing lmo West senatorial District.
…”Our gratitude goes to Justice Ekwo, who had seen the efficacy of granting bail to the Ogboko born enigma.”
Okorocha also prayed for the EFCC. “We ask God to show love to the leadership and officers of the EFCC and grant them their heart desires”
Following, the full text of the statement.
SUBJECT: SENATOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA HAS BEEN GRANTED BAIL.
…..WE ARE DELIGHTED.
“We want to inform the general public that , Justice lnyang Ekwo, of the Federal High Court Abuja, has graciously granted bail to His Excellency, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
“His Lordship, in his wisdom, granted Okorocha bail on Tuesday, May 31, 2022,( today).
“Okorocha had remained in the custody of the Economic And Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, since the invasion of his private residence and subsequent arrest.
“He was taken to court on Monday, May 30, 2022 with five others , over alleged N2.9 fraud. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
“Today, Tuesday, May 31, 2022, Justice Ekwo , magnanimously , granted bail to the former governor of lmo state and Senator Representing lmo West senatorial District.
“We thank God for this juicy and lofty development.
“We thank Nigerians , within and outside , who had continued to send correspondences to show concern, over the fate of the foremost African philanthropist . We remain grateful for thier genuine concern.
“We also thank those who had devoted their precious time to prayers, for GOD’S intervention.
“Most importantly, our gratitude goes to justice Ekwo, who had seen the efficacy of granting bail to the Ogboko born enigma.
“Equally, we Pray that the Almighty God would bless the astute lawyers handling the case, immensely. They have remained wonderful.
“We ask God to show love to the leadership and officers of the EFCC and grant them their heart desires.
“May the good LORD, bless all and sundry.”
Malami Not My Problem
Denying suing the EFCC and Malami for one billion Naira, Okorocha said he had no reason to do that, especially, as Malami was not behind his ordeal.
He said he “knows” those behind his problems, and would sue at the appropriate time, if necessary.
The story alleged that he has assembled a team of five Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and filed a suit against the EFCC and Malami, asking for one billion Naira in damages and a full apology in three National newspapers.
The statement reads:
“Our attention was drawn to online stories, with the referenced caption, late last night.
“1. Senator Rochas Okorocha, has been in EFCC custody since the agents of the commission stormed his house and arrested him.
“2. The Commission took him to court on Monday, May 30, 2022, with other accused persons in the matter.
“3. The Presiding judge, in his wisdom, adjourned the matter to Tuesday, May 31, 2022, for Okorocha’s bail application to be taken or heard.
“4. We were concerned with the expected hearing of the bail application today when our attention was drawn to the online stories of the N1b suit and engagement of 5 SANS.
“5. Okorocha has no reason to take either the Attorney General of the Federation or the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, to court and claim N1b damages, over the invasion of his house, since the incident had nothing to do with AGF or his office.
“6. if Okorocha comes out of detention and along the line, decides to take legal action to press for damages, over the invasion of his residence, he knows those who carried out the action. We do not think he would include the AGF or his office.
“7. We know that some patriotic Human Rights Lawyers in the Country and some of them, highly respected SANs, have been of immense help in dealing with human rights violations in the country, most of the time, on their own to help the society.
“8. We are therefore having the feeling that the renowned Senior Advocates mentioned in the online stories, might have been challenged by the invasion of Okorocha’s private residence by agents of the EFCC and might have also decided to take the bull by the horns.
“9. We thank them. If Okorocha comes out of detention and decides to walk in that direction, fine. But one fact would be made clear and that is, that the AGF and the office of AGF would not be parts of the action, because they had nothing to do with the invasion of Okorocha’s private residence.
“10. We have done this, to keep the record straight. We are looking forward to seeing Okorocha out of detention by the GRACE OF GOD and the magnanimity of His LORDSHIP, handling the case.”
Okorocha is being prosecuted by the EFCC, along with an APC chieftain, Chief Ohanenye, and five Companies for alleged stealing and money laundering of Imo State funds to the tune of N2.9 billion. Okorocha was the Governor of Imo State from 2011 to 2019.
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