Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, granted bail to the detained former governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha, to the tune of N500million with one surety who is a land owner in Abuja worth the total bail sum.
The Judge granted that Okorocha be release on bail, after he dismissed a counter-affidavit the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, filed against him.
EFCC through its lawyer, Mr. O. C. Ugwu, urged the court to allow the former governor to remain in custody, alleging that he may no longer show up for trails as this was what led to his arrest in may 24th.
However, counsel to the defendant, Mr. Solomon Umoh, SAN, assured the court that his client would be available to face his trial as his client is a responsible citizen who is presidential hopeful and would also not conduct himself in any manner that would reduce the integrity of the court.
The trial judge held that the surety must deposit the original title documents of the property with Registrar of the court for verification, even as he ordered Okorocha to surrender all his travelling documents and not leave the country without permission.
The court held that the defendant must remain in custody of the EFCC, pending the perfection of all his bail conditions.
