By Damola Emmanuel
Former governor of Imo State and senator representing Imo West Senatorial District at the 9th Nigerian Senate, Rochas Okorocha, who is standing trial over alleged N2.9 billion fraud, has been granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The court, presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, granted the senator bail on Tuesday in the sum of N500 million and a surety in like sum.
Justice Ekwo gave the order while ruling on the bail application filed by Okorocha.
Okorocha is currently standing trial in a 17-count charge of financial fraud totaling N2.9 billion filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The anti-graft agency had accused Okorocha of conspiring with others, including a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and five companies, to steal funds belonging to Imo State while holding sway as governor.
Okorocha, who was arraigned alongside his co-defendants on Monday, has denied any wrongdoing.
During their arraignment, the former Imo governor, the second defendant, Nyerere Anyim, and the companies indicted, pleaded not guilty to the charges
If he is able to meet the bail conditions, the senator, who is also running for the office of President in next year’s general elections, might be able to face the screening committee of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the Trascorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, today.
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