Ex-Gov, Okorocha loses bid to stop demolition of his houses

A Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Ahmed Mohammed, yesterday declined to grant an interim order stopping Imo State Government from demolishing marked houses belonging to former governor, Rochas Okorocha in Owerri.

  Ruling on Okorocha’s application after two hours of arguments by counsel to the parties, Justice Mohammed stated that it was clear that the bone of contention was whether the court can make an order when the issue of jurisdiction is still pending.

  “My simple response is that since making an order is akin to remotely assuming jurisdiction, the court cannot make the order as requested by the applicant. I adjourn this matter to August 24 to hear applications challenging the jurisdiction to hear the matter during vacation,” the judge held.

  It will be recalled that Okorocha had sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Attorney General of Imo State, and all the members of seven different panels set by Imo State Government from sealing and seizing his properties.