A Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to strike out the charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Senator Rochas Okorocha.
EFCC’s Suit Against Rochas Okorocha
Okorocha, who is representing Imo West Senatorial District in the Senate, is to face trial alongside six others in the N2.9 billion money laundering charges.
The lawmaker, who is the first defendant, is to be arraigned alongside Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.
During the trial on Monday, the Judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo threatened to throw out the case following the inability of the EFCC to effect service of the charges on Okorocha as required by law.
For the second time, the EFCC through its counsel, Mr Cosmos Ugwu, told Justice Ekwo that he has not been able to see Okorocha and serve him with the charges.
The counsel, who told the court that he would continue in his efforts to serve the former Imo state governor with the court papers, applied for another adjournment to enable him to do everything within his power to serve the court papers in line with the provisions of the law.
However, his excuse for not serving charges on Okorocha did not go down well with the Judge who reminded him that the same story played out on February 22, 2022, when the defendant ought to have taken his plea.
Justice Ekwo said categorically that he was not going to continue to take flimsy excuses from the lawyer and would not help him to do his job.
In a short ruling, the Judge granted the request for the second adjournment and warned the government’s lawyer to demonstrate seriousness or else, the case would be struck out.
“Let me place on record, that this is the second time this flimsy excuse is being made to justify the absence of the 1st defendant (Okorocha) in court to take his plea.
“As the prosecutor, you must demonstrate seriousness in the discharge of your duties. This is the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter.
“If on the adjourned date, you come up with the same flimsy excuses, I shall have no option than to strike out the charges,” the Judge warned and slated May 30, 2022, for the prosecution to put his house in order to enable Okorocha to take his plea.
KanyiDaily recalls that the EFCC had filed N2.9 billion fraud charges against Rochas Okorocha, just a few hours after he declared his intention to contest for the 2023 presidency.
