Rochas Okorocha, a Senator representing Imo West, has denied any court ruling that ordered the recovery of his money and properties.
Mr Okorocha, a former Governor under the All Progressive Congress (APC), has been facing legal battles which emanated from corruption charges.
POLITICS NIGERIA recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja granted permission to two civil society groups to commence a suit seeking to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to prosecute Mr Okorocha.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, on March 3, 2020, granted the leave to the groups, but a copy of the enrolled order of the court was only seen by our correspondent on Monday.
The plaintiffs are Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International and the Rights for All International.
Nonetheless, in a statement sent to this paper, Sam Onwuemeodo the Special Adviser (Media) to the former Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, noted that a fake story of assets recovery is spreading.
“Imo people and Nigerians in general woke up one morning to read in the media that a Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed had granted the EFCC the licence to probe Senator Rochas Okorocha following the application to that effect by Barr. K. M. Okere. And that the Court also Ordered and listed what and what should be recovered from Okorocha including Cash, moveable and unmoveable assets.”
According to Onwuemeodo, no Court, including that of Justice Mohammed, had ordered for the recovery of any item or money from Okorocha or even ordered for the EFCC to probe him.
“And we swiftly challenge Barr. Okere or any other interested persons including the PDP elements in the State to publish the said Court Order without further delay. Indeed they should do that within 48 hours.”
He noted that the investigation of Okorocha by EFCC operatives had begun long before now and there’s no need for any court order compelling the anti-graft agency.
“We ask that people should be following events as they evolve, instead of acting like people who prefer to live in the past.”
Okorocha’s media aide also accused the opposition party of blackmailing his principal ahead of the governorship election of 2024.
“The blackmail and propaganda against Okorocha had gained momentum after the Supreme Court review application Judgement which didn’t favour the PDP and its Candidate.
And looking at the Contentions of the PDP elements in Imo, they have accused Okorocha of being behind the nullification of their imaginary or purported Victory. As bad losers, they have Continued to vent their anger on Okorocha.’
