By MMuhammad Sabiu
Rochas Okorocha, who is now in the custody of the anti-corruption agency, the EFCC, was denied bail by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.
Mr Okorocha’s counsel, Ola Olanipekun, was instead directed to notify the anti-graft agency by Justice Inyang Ekwo.
According to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), Mr Olanipekun requested the court to give Mr Okorocha bail on liberal terms awaiting the hearing and resolution of an application on notice filed on May 25.
The ex-parte motion was filed on May 26 and was dated.
However, Justice Ekwo ruled that, because the case would be heard on Monday, it would be pointless to issue a bail order for the member.
The senior lawyer reportedly intimated that he had filed a motion on notice to have his client released on bail.
The judge, who set a hearing date of May 30 for the motions, told the counsel to notify the EFCC.
Following the EFCC’s allegation that it had been unable to serve Mr Okorocha despite multiple attempts, Mr Ekwo gave the anti-corruption commission May 30 as the last time the matter would be deferred, according to NAN.
After two adjournments for his arraignment, the court threatened to dismiss the case if the EFCC failed to present the senator on the next postponed date.