UPDATE - Okorocha asks court to stop EFCC, Imo govt from confiscating his properties

 

Former Imo State governor, Anayo Rochas Okorocha on Wednesday in

Abuja asked a Federal High Court to issue a restraining order against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Imo State Government from further interfering and confiscating his properties located in various parts of the country.

Okorocha, currently representing Imo West Senatorial district in the Senate, sought the order of the court to preserve his properties pending the resolution of court cases ongoing in the matter.

He complained bitterly that his properties have been marked in several states for confiscation adding that unless the preservative order was issued against EFCC and Imo State, he would be prejudiced.

His motion on notice for the sought court order was filed by his counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Oba Maduabuchi.

However, the request was vehemently opposed by the EFCC and Imo State Government on the ground that the court has no jurisdiction to hear Okorocha’s suit.

The EFCC and Imo government are contending that the suit is not the type that can be heard during court vacation.

They further argued that Okorocha did not meet the condition precedent for the matter to be heard during vacation adding that the fiat of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court ought to be sought and obtained before such matter can be heard during vacation.

The anti-graft commission and Imo State cited Order 46, Rule 5 of the Federal High Court Civil Procedures Rule 2019 allegedly breached by Okorocha while filing the fresh motion.

Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed is expected to make decisions on the matter after hearing from the parties.