The Federal High Court in Abuja has set November 22 as the date for the hearing of a preliminary objection filed by former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha seeking the dismissal of the N2.9 billion fraud charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The case was adjourned by Justice Inyang Ekwo to allow the EFCC’s counsel, G.K. Latona, to respond to Okorocha’s counsel, Ola Olanipekun (SAN).
The judge, who stated that the application would be heard on the next adjourned date, ordered all parties to file and serve necessary processes before the scheduled date.
In the application dated and filed on October 28, the former governor prayed for an order quashing the charge and/or all counts of the charge preferred against him by the EFCC regarding his activities as governor of Imo State from 2011 to 2019.
The Imo West senator described the charge as “unlawful, baseless, oppressive, and a gross abuse of court’s process.”
He also sought an order discharging and acquitting him on the charge.
The EFCC arraigned Okorocha on a 17-count charge of fraud on May 30.
He was arraigned alongside Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolidated Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited for allegedly converting N2.9 billion belonging to Imo State during his tenure as governor of the state.
Justice Ekwo granted the former governor bail in the sum of N500 million with one surety in like sum on May 31.
The judge also ordered the release of Chinenye based on the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted him by the EFCC.