The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the temporary forfeiture of houses allegedly owned by a former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said the houses are on Plots 1032 and 1033, Cadastral Zone AO3, Takum Close, Off Michika Street, Ahmadu Bello Way, Garki Abuja.
Justice Emeka Nweti gave the order in a ruling on a motion filed by the EFCC, in which it claimed that the houses were acquired through proceeds of crime.
The Judge ordered the EFCC to publish the order in the national dailies to allow anyone with interest in the property to show cause within 14 days why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
He also adjourned till April 13 for consideration of the motion for final forfeiture of the properties.
The EFCC further claimed that the houses were reasonably suspected to be acquired with proceeds from illegality and corruption.
It alleged that the properties were developed with funds from the coffers of the Imo State Government in 2018 when Okorocha was governor.
However, a member of Okorocha’s legal team, Okey Anyikwa, said the Senator was a victim of a political witch-hunt.
He said the properties were acquired in 2007 before Okorocha became governor in 2011 by Etha Venture.
