A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail of N500 million to a former governor of Imo State and presidential aspirant, Rochas Okorocha. The presiding judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the ruling on Tuesday, stating that a surety, who owns a property in Abuja, worth not less than N500 million is also required for the bail application.
His co-accused, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anyim Nyerere was also granted bail; the duo are on trial regarding a 17-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti-graft agency claims that Okorcha and Nyerere used five companies to siphon Imo State funds to the tune of N2.9 billion while Okorocha was the governor of Imo state.
Okorocha is also expected not to travel outside the country without the court’s permission and will deposit his travel documents such as an international passport with the court’s registrar.
Justice Ekwo ordered that Okorocha remains in EFCC’s custody until he meets the conditions of his bail.
The ex-governor, who is the current Senator representing Imo West under the platform of APC was arrested last week in his Abuja residence by EFCC operatives, after failing to honor several invitations by the Commission.
