Former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo has urged the Federal High Court, Abuja, to make an order dismissing the seizure and sealing of his property by Governor Hope Uzodimma’s government.

Mr Okorocha also asked Justice Ahmed Mohammed to restrain the defendants from investigating him or implementing the recommendations of panels set up to probe his tenure between June 2006 and May 2019, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The request was contained in a motion brought by his lawyer, Oba Maduabuchi, dated and filed on June 25.

In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/558/2020 filed on May 28, 2020, Mr Okorocha, representing Imo West Senatorial District, urged the court to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and others from probing him.

While the EFCC is the first respondent, the second to 48th respondents included the attorney general of Imo and members of seven panels set up to probe previous administrations in the state.

However, only the EFCC was represented in court on Tuesday. Mr Okorocha’s counsel pointed out that the anti-graft agency had always been in court and had since filed its defence.

“For the attorney general and the panels, we can go to hell. But I know my lord is not completely powerless,” said the lawyer.

Mr Maduabuchi told the court that the latest application sought a restoration of the status quo despite the White Paper issued by the government’s panels.

Counsel to the EFCC, G.C. Ofulue, did not oppose Mr Maduabuchi’s application.

“Copies of the White Paper issued by the panels were exhibited in the application,” he said.

The judge adjourned the matter until July 15 for a hearing in the plaintiff’s motion on notice. He also ordered that hearing notices be issued to the second to 48th defendants.

Mr Okorocha’s properties listed in the motion include Eastern Palm University Ogboko; Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments, Akachi Road, Owerri, Imo; Imo Broad Casting Corporation Staff Quarters, Orji or Rochas Foundation Collage Orji; Public Building Plot B/2 Otamiri South Extension Layout, Magistrate Quarters, Orlu Road /Corporate Office and market square Kilimanjaro.

Others are Plot 5 Naze Residential Layout and all property contained on pages 226 to 272 of the government’s White Paper on the Florence Duruoha Igwe judicial commission of inquiry into land administration in Imo from June 2006 to May 2019.

(NAN)