From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has approached the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for permission to travel to the United States (U.S.) for medical treatment.
His counsel, Daniel Alumun, who filed the motion, however, told Justice Inyang Ekwo that he was unable to serve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the complainant/respondent, with the motion.
Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until July 6 for hearing of the motion.
In a motion on notice marked: FHC /ABJ/CS/28/2022, dated June 22, and filed June 27, by Okey Amaechi, SAN, Okorocha sought for an order granting him leave to travel outside Nigeria for medical treatment; and return before November 7, being the next adjourned for his trial.
He further sought a consequential order for the release of his Nigerian international travel passport booklet, which was deposited with the court registrar in partial fulfilment of the conditions for bail granted to him.
Senator Okorocha, who is representing Imo West at the Senate, further sought for “a consequential order that reliefs (1) and (2) above be communicated by the registrar of this honourable court to the Nigerian Immigration Service, to facilitate the passage of the applicant.
An order directing the first defendant/applicant to return his international passport to the registrar of the honourable court upon his return to Nigeria.”
The lawmaker, who gave three grounds why the reliefs sought should be granted, said he was admitted to bail, pending trial in charge number: FHC/ABJ/28/2022. He said he has duly complied with all the terms of the bail, including depositing his travel documents with the registrar of the court.
He said prior to his arraignment, he “underwent medical surgery at the Ambulatory Surgery Centre, Texas, U.S. for distal femur fracture, which he sustained in an accident.”
Okorocha said he has been on regular/scheduled care and treatment at the same Ambulatory Surgery Centre, where he has been scheduled for further medical tests, observation and treatment on July 19, 2022 or immediately, thereafter.
In the pending charge against him, he was alleged to have laundered the funds while serving as governor of Imo.
Others arraigned are Anyim Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited as second to seventh defendants, respectively.