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A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday declined an application by former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha asking it to restrain the Imo State Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from confiscating his properties.
A State High Court in Owerri had earlier (on Monday) ordered the final and absolute forfeiture of Royal Palm Springs Hotel and other properties said to belong to Senator Okorocha and other members of his family.
According to a ruling by Justice Fred Njemanze, who was sitting as a vacation judge, Okorocha’s counsel failed to give concrete and verifiable reasons why a final and absolute forfeiture order should not be given in favour of the Imo state government.
Justice Njemanze added that the suit filed against the state government by Okorocha’s counsel was not properly filed.
He also described it as a surplusage, a term in law which means a statement completely irrelevant to a matter.
Justice Njemanze maintained that the White Paper Gazette by the state government is a legal binding document.
The judge concluded that there was no concrete reason before it for why the forfeiture should not be made absolute and final, hence the state government could go ahead and do whatever it deems fit to do with the properties.
As for persons who might have made purchases on such properties, Justice Njamanze said they are at liberty to approach the court to prove their titles.
