Court threatens to strike out EFCC's $7m money laundering charge against Rochas

FORMER Imo State governor Senator Rochas Okorocha could see corruption charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) dismissed because of the agency's failure to serve him with a court summons.

Senator Okorocha who governed Imo State between 2011 and 2019, is facing a N2.9bn ($6.9m) money laundering criminal charge. Today, when the case came up at the Federal High Court Abuja, Justice Inyang  Ekwo threatened to strike it out the charges following the inability of the federal government to serve charges on Senator Okorocha as required by law.

For the second time, the federal government through its counsel, Cosmos Ugwu, told Justice Ekwo that he has not been able to see Senator Okorocha and serve him with the charges. Mr Ugwu informed the court that he would make efforts and would continue to make efforts until he succeeds in serving the former Imo State governor with the court papers.

He subsequently applied for another adjournment to enable him do everything within his power to serve the court papers in line with provisions of the law. However,  Mr Ugwu's excuse for not serving charges on Senator Okorocha did not go down well with the judge who reminded him that same story was played out on February 22 when the defendant ought to have taken his plea.

In his ruling, Justice Ekwo said  that he was not going to continue to take flimsy excuses from the lawyer and would not help him to do his job. In a short ruling, the judge granted the request for the second adjournment and warned the government’s lawyer to demonstrate seriousness or else, the case would be struck out.

Justice Ekwo said: “Let me place on record, that this is the second time this flimsy excuse is being made to justify the absence of the first defendant in court to take his plea. As the prosecutor, you must demonstrate seriousness in the discharge of your duties.

"This is the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter. If on the adjourned date, you come up with the same flimsy excuses, I shall have no option than to strike out the charges.”

Subsequently, the judge fixed a new hearing date of May 30. Senator Okorocha, currently the lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District, is to face trial alongside six others on 17 charges involving criminal diversion of public funds and properties.