Former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has applied to a Federal High Court in Abuja for permission to travel to the United States (U.S.) for medical treatment.
Okorocha, who is on N500million bail, was arraigned before the court on May 31 this year, with a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Anyim Nyerere Chinenye and five companies on a 17-count money laundering charge filed by the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The companies are: Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.
On Thursday, Okorocha’s lawyer, Daniel Alumun told the court that his client has filed a motion on notice, but was yet to serve same on the prosecution.
The trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo noted that since the prosecution was not yet served, it was impossible for the court to hear the fresh motion.
Justice Ekwo then adjourned till July 6 for the hearing of the motion, which must be served on the prosecution before then.
Okorocha, who currently represents Imo West Senatorial District at the Senate, said, in the fresh motion, that before his arraignment, he had undergone medical surgery at the Ambulatory Surgery Center, Texas in the US for “distal femur fracture” he sustained in an accident.
The ex-Imo governor added that he has been on regular/scheduled care and treatment at the same Ambulatory Surgery Center, where he has been scheduled for further medical tests, observation and treatment on July 19, 2022 or immediately thereafter.
He added it was urgent that he be allowed to attend to his health as scheduled, because the examination and treatment of his pains and ailment would be jeopardised if he fails to meet the scheduled medical appointment.
Beside seeking to be allowed to travel, Okorocha, in the motion, also wants the court to order that the international passport, which he deposited with the court’s Registrar in partial fulfilment of the conditions for bail granted to him.
Okorocha also wants the court to direct its Registrar to inform the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to facilitate his trip out of the country.
Credit : THE NATION.
