A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, granted permission to former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, to travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who granted the permission, ordered the Registrar of the Court to release the traveling passport of the former governor to him to undertake the medical trip.
The order of the Judge followed an application argued by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Ola Olanipekun, who notified the court that his client had been having health challenges in the receipt times.
He argued that Okorocha, now a Senator representing Imo North in the Senate, would not abuse the order and would return to the country for his trial.
Although, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission represented by Chile Okoroma, had sought to oppose the request, the agency soft-pedalled when Justice Ekwo explained that the request would be granted with a caveat by the court.
While granting the request, Justice Ekwo ordered Okorocha to return the passport to the Court Registrar not later than three days of his arrival in the country. The Judge held that he would declare Okorocha wanted if he attempted to abuse the favour granted him.
Justice Ekwo subsequently fixed November 7 for his trial in the money laundering criminal charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
Okorocha had in May appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja, where he pleaded not guilty to the N2.9 billion corruption charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
