Okorocha loses bid to stop property forfeiture

A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an application by a former governor of Imo State, Anayo Rochas Okorocha to stop the forfeiture of property linked to him.

Justice Ahmed Mohammed on Wednesday held that it would be in accordance with rules of the court to first hear the various motions challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

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An Imo State High Court had on Tuesday upheld the white paper report of the Imo Sate Government Judicial Commission of Enquiry on Recovery of Lands and other related matters set up by former governor, Emeka Ihedioha to probe Okorocha.

But Okorocha’s counsel, Oba Maduabuchi (SAN) on Wednesday pleaded with the court to make a preservative order against the EFCC, the Attorney General of Imo State and 46 others from acting on the subject matter of the suit.

He said the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court had approved an application to hear the matter during vacation as against the September 22 adjourned date due to the urgency of the matter.

But defence lawyers: Olusola Oke, Levi Uzoukwu, Eze Duruiheoma, U.U. Chukwumeze, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and Louis Alozie, Iheanacho, Chinedu Odo, representing Donez Global Services Ltd, party seeking to join all challenged the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter during vacation.

The case has been adjourned to August 24 for hearing.