EFCC’s Suit Against Okorocha May Be Dismissed By The Court 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCCaction )’s against former governor of Imo, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, was threatening to be dismissed by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

News Agency of Nigeria

Following an allegation by Cosmas Ugwu, counsel for the EFCC, that all efforts by the agency to serve court processes on Okorocha had failed, Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the warning.

Okorocha is the incumbent senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, according to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN). He is due to be arraigned on a 17-count money laundering accusation.

Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited will be arraigned alongside the lawmaker, who is the first defendant.

After Ugwu argued with the court about the agency’s inability to serve the senator, Justice Ekwo adjourned the arraignment until March 28.

However, when the case was called on Monday, Ugwu informed the court that the defendants had been scheduled for arraignment.

He did say, however, that the first defendant had not yet been served with the accusation.” 

Several attempts by the EFCC lawyers to serve the defendants so that all of them may be charged together were failed, according to the EFCC attorney.

“In view of this, we plead with my lord to graciously accommodate us with an adjournment,” he said.

Justice Ekwo reminded Ugwu that he had offered the same justification when the case was brought up on Feb. 22.

“One month plus you are still coming to say you are yet to serve,” the judge said.

Though Ekwo agreed to approve Ugwu’s request for another adjournment, he stated that if Ugwu used the same excuse on the next postponed date, the case would be dismissed.

“This will be the last time this matter will be adjourned,” he said.

The judge stated that the adjournment was necessary to determine the commission’s seriousness in prosecuting the case.

He then adjourned the case until May 30 to allow the defendants to enter their pleas.