SUNDAY CLASH: OKOROCHA’S AIDES ARRAIGNED IN COURT

Reporter : CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

A magistrate court sitting in Owerri has granted bail to a senior legislative aide to former Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and member representing Imo West Senatorial District, Mr. Steve Asimobi and thirteen others over their alleged forceful entry into a property sealed by the state government.

The suspects, one of whom is the ADC to Senator Okorocha, Mr. Eberendu Chimejifulam, were arraigned on a six count charge of unlawful possession of firearms, destruction of official seal of Imo State Government, disturbance of public peace, defamation of the character of Governor Hope Uzodimma through social media publication among others.

The defendants were arrested by the police on Sunday alongside Senator Okorocha who was released hours later after interrogation at the police headquarters in Owerri.

The Magistrate, Mrs. B.U Adikibe, while ruling on a bail application brought by counsel to the defendants, granted the accused five million naira bail each with surety of traditional ruler.

The court has adjourned hearing until March 18, 2021.

Efforts to speak with the prosecution and defense counsels yielded no result as they declined comment.

Chief Rochas Okorocha alongside his aides forcefully gained entry into his property located in Owerri, which was sealed by the state government but was resisted by agents of government.

The situation degenerated into a clash resulting in the destruction of vehicles belonging to Senator Okorocha and his subsequent arrest by the police.