The Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja on Friday, refused to admit Rochas Okorocha, a former Governor of Imo State to bail pending the determination of a suit he instituted against the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Operatives of the anti-graft agency had on Tuesday, arrested Okorocha, who had been evading service of the charges against him, at his Abuja residence in an operation that lasted several hours.
The EFCC, on January 31, slammed Okorocha who represents Imo West senatorial district, with fresh corruption charges to the tune of N2.9 billion.
The former governor’s arrest followed his refusal to make himself available for trial in a 17-count money laundering charge that is pending against him before the court.
Following his arrest and detention, Okorocha, through his team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, approached the court to enforce his fundamental human rights.
In his ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo, rejected Okorocha’s ex-parte application, and declared he was not inclined to admit the applicant (Okorocha) to bail.
The judge declined his request to compel the EFCC) to release him on bail.
Rather, the judge ordered Okorocha to put the Federal Government of Nigeria on notice to come and defend his detention.
The former governor had in the ex-parte application, predicated his bail request on the ground that he was a presidential aspirant and his political ambition would be jeopardised unless he was granted bail.