Okorocha: Former Imo Gov, others slammed with N5m fine over unrest in Imo State

A former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, alongside 13 others, on Monday, February 22, was granted bail by the Magistrate Court sitting in Owerri.

The court presided over by the Chief Magistrate Court 4, D. U Adikaibe, Owerri in Imo state, slammed a N5m fine on each of the accused persons including a former Commissioner for Transport, Lasbery Okafor Anyanwu, and a former local government chairman of Orlu LGA, Ijeoma Igboanusi.

1st News further gathered that other conditions as announced by the Chief Magistrate were that each of the accused persons would provide a prominent traditional ruler to stand as their surety.

Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri, a former Commissioner for Information under Rochas Okorocha, in an interview, said that bail, by the constitution, was everybody’s right pending the determination of the offence.

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Also, the Chief Magistrate explained he had studied the lightness of the case and granted them bail without further delay.

Okorocha, on Sunday, broke into the spring palm apartments and hotels said to be owned by his wife, Nkechi Okorocha, alongside his ”foot soldiers.”

The Senator was reportedly arrested and detained by the state police command after clashing with some government functionaries.

The case has been adjourned to March 18, 2021.

Meanwhile, the arraignment of a former Minister of Aviation, Sen. Stella Oduah, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, has stalled once again.

The arraignment of Stella Oduah could not commence over the inability of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to serve two suspects in the trial

Counsel to the EFCC, Dr. Hassan Liman, SAN, at the mention of the case before Justice Inyang Ekwo; told the court that the fifth and sixth suspect in the matter were yet to be served with the court processes.

Consequently, Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until April 19 for the suspects to take their plea.

Equally important, the court had earlier fixed Tuesday February 9 for the arraignment of Stella Oduah. Oduah currently represents Anambra North Senatorial District at the National Assembly. Due to the fact that she was yet to be served with the court processes, the arraignment could not go on.