Rochas Okorocha, A presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday night, appeared before the party’s seven-man 2023 presidential screening committee.

Mr Okorocha, represents Imo West in the Senate and is a former Imo governor.

He had been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC) over an alleged N2.9 billion fraud case.

He was, however, granted bail by the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court early Tuesday and was to pay N500 million for his bail with one surety in like sum.

The possibility of Mr Okorocha appearing before the John Odigie-Oyegun-led presidential committee for screening, had been a topic of political discourse following his ordeal in the hands of the EFCC.

Trial Justice Inyang Ekwo granted the former Imo governor bail after dismissing a counter-affidavit the EFCC filed against him.

The EFCC had urged the court to allow Mr Okorocha to remain in custody, alleging that he posed a flight risk. The prosecution alleged that Mr Okorocha not only breached the administrative bail it earlier granted him, but made himself inaccessible, a situation that led to his forceful arrest on May 24.

He told the court that the former Imo governor, facing a 17-count money laundering charge, had the capacity to interfere with some of its proposed witnesses.

However, counsel to the defendant, Solomon Umoh, assured the court that his client would be available to face his trial.

The defence lawyer stressed that his client, being a responsible citizen and a presidential aspirant, would not conduct himself in any manner that would undermine the sanctity of the court.

Mr Okorocha was the last aspirant to be screened by the APC 2023 presidential primary on Tuesday night.

(NAN)