Justice lnyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Tuesday, granted bail to the former Governor of Imo State and Senator Representing lmo West senatorial District in the sum of N500 million and a surety in like sum.
At the hearing of his trial on Monday, Okorocha was remanded in the custody of the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, pending the determination of his bail application, today.
Justice Ekwo, has denied Okorocha, Chinenye bail, on Monday and adjourned proceeding till Tuesday for the hearing of the bail applications by Okorocha and Chinenye.
At today’s proceeding, Justice Ekwo, granted bail to the former governor of lmo state and Senator Representing lmo West senatorial District in the sum of N500 million and a surety in like sum.
Justice Ekwo, also said that the surety must be a responsible citizen who has landed property in the like sum of the bail granted Okorocha.
The judge also barred the Senator from traveling out of Nigeria except with the express permission of the court.
Okorocha is facing charges bordering on money laundering to the tune of N2.9 billion, while serving as Governor of Imo State.
He was arraign on a 17-count money laundering charge filed by the EFCC.
Also remanded in the same EFCC custody is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, an ally to the ex-governor, Anyim Nyerere Chinenye.
Okorocha was 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 as 2nd to 7th defendants respectively.
Recall that the ex-Governor was accused of refusal to stand trial, leading to his re-arrest on Tuesday, last week by the anti-graft agency after about seven-hour siege at his Abuja residence.
Meanwhile, Okorocha is expected to remain in the custody of the EFCC until his bail conditions are met.
In a statement, Okorocha’s media aide, Sam Onwuemeodo, thanked God “for this juicy and lofty development.”
The statement reads, “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 their 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.”
