Alleged N2.9bn Fraud: Court Grants RochasOkorocha N500m Bail EmmanuelaObaje-Daniels    

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to a presidential aspirant and former governor of Imo State, RochasOkorocha.

He was granted bail on Tuesday by Justice InyangEkwo in the sum of N500 million and a surety in like sum.

Justice InyangEkwo gave the order while ruling on the bail application filed by Okorocha who currently represents Imo West senatorial district in the National Assembly.

The former governor is being tried on a 17-count charge to the tune of N2.9 billion filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was accused of conspiring with others, including a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and five companies to steal from public coffers, although he has since denied any wrongdoing.

Thereafter, counsel to Okorocha, MrOkeyAmaechi, prayed the court to release his client on bail, pending the determination of the case against him.

He drew the attention of the court to the fact that his client was roughly arrested last Tuesday before the screening of the presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that his ambition was at risk should he remain in detention.

On its part, the EFCC, through its lawyer, MrGbolahanLatona, informed the court that Okorocha raised some issues in his bail application that would require its response.

Justice Ekwo had, thereafter, adjourned the matter until Tuesday to hear Okorocha’s bail application and ordered that he should remain in EFCC custody.