August 11, 2021

A court sitting in Abuja has declined former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha’s, application to restrain the Imo State Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from confiscating his properties.

Recall that an Owerri high court had ordered the final forfeiture of the properties said to be acquired through “illegal means”.

The forfeited properties are listed in the Imo state government white paper report on recovery of lands and other related matters.

In February, the court had ordered the interim forfeiture of all the properties linked to Okorocha.

The court had also asked Okorocha to show case as to why a final and absolute order of forfeiture should not be given following an application brought to it by Louis Alozie on behalf of the state.

But the former Imo governor had asked a federal high court in Abuja to set aside the order.

Okorocha had also asked Ahmed Mohammed, the judge, to restrain the defendants from investigating him or implementing the recommendations of the panels set up to probe previous administrations in the state, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

In his ruling, Fred Njemanze, the judge, said Okorocha’s counsel failed to give concrete and verifiable reasons why a final and absolute forfeiture order should not be given in favour of the Imo state government.

The judge said the suit filed against the Imo government by Okorocha’s counsel was not properly handled and that there is no reason why the forfeiture should not be made final.