14 associates of Rochas Okorocha were arraigned in an Owerri magistrate court on Monday morning over their involvement in the alleged unsealing of the Royal Palm Estate sealed by the Hope Uzodinma administration last week.
The 14 Okorocha loyalists arraigned included 9 males and five females.
The former governor was not arraigned along with the nine men and five women nabbed with him at the Royal Palm Estate on Sunday.
Sources said that Okorocha pleaded illness as excuse not to be arraigned.
However, GreenWhiteGreen GWG had reported that Southeast governors were mediating into the case with the hope of getting a truce between Okorocha and the Imo State Government.
Governor Dave Umahi had earlier on Monday called on the two parties to stay off the media on the unfolding development.
Umahi’s intervention was, however, not enough for Okorocha’s supporters as they were arraigned before the Oweri Magistrate Court on Monday.
The arraignment followed the sealing of the Royal Palm Estate by the present administration upon the report of a panel initially established by the Emeka Ihedioha administration and upheld by the Uzodinma government.
Okorocha had reportedly led his associates including former political appointees to unseal the property before they were overwhelmed by supporters of Uzodinma and nabbed by the police.
Okorocha and his wife were held in custody until about 11.00 p.m. on Sunday following which he was granted bail.
14 Okorocha loyalists were arraigned after they were nabbed with him in the melee on Sunday.
The 14 arraigned included 9 males and five females were Obasi Goodluck, Nwaiwu Ndubuisi, Obor Victor, Nev Rapheal, Basil Mba, Steve Asimobi, Eberendu Chimechifulam, Ibekwe Darlington and Olu Chizoba.
The five ladies arraigned were Median Ijeoma, Ucheka Cluadin, Sunday Chisom, Ekpendu Peace and Ebere Nwokeji.
They were arraigned on a six point charge of including misdemeanor and disobedience to lawful authority by violating a government seal on the Royal Palm Estate as lawfully put by the government.
The charges were brought by the Commissioner of Police through a Superintendent of Police, Omo-Osagie M.A.
▪︎Court grants N5m bail to Okorocha’s aide, 13 others
Meanwhile, the Magistrate Court sitting in Owerri, has granted bail to Mr. Steve Asimobi, a senior legislative aade to Chief Rochas Okorocha, 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 till the 18th of next month.
Efforts to speak with the prosecution and defense counsels yielded no result as they declined comment.
Chief Rochas Okorocha alongside his aides forceful gained entry into his property located in Owerri which was sealed by the state government but was resisted by agents of government, a situation that degenerated and led to the destruction of vehicles belonging to Senator Okorocha and his subsequent arrest by the police.
(Additional reports by gwg/National Accord)
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
