A Federal High Court in Abuja has acceded to the request of former Imo Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha for permission to travel to the United States for medical attention.
In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered the court’s Registrar to release Okorocha’s international passport, which he deposited with the court as part of the conditions attached the N500million bail earlier granted him.
Justice Ekwo ordered Okorocha to return the passport to the Registrar not later than three days after his return to the country.
The Judge threatened to declare Okorocha, who currently represents Imo West Senatorial District, wanted should he attempts to abuse the opportunity granted him.
Justice Ekwo adjourned till November 7 for the commencement of trial in the 17-count money laundering charge brought against him and six others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Other defendants in the charge marked: Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited.
In the motion he filed for leave to travel, Okorocha said before his arraignment on May 31 this year, 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.
