A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the detention of former Imo Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) pending the determination of his bail application.
Okorocha was alleged to have laundered funds to the tune of N2.9 billion while serving as governor of Imo.
To join Okorocha in EFCC custody is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and an ally to the ex-governor, Anyim Nyerere Chinenye.
Justice Inyang Ekwo gave the order on Monday after Okorocha, Chinenye and five companies were arraigned on a 17-count money laundering charge filed by the EFCC.
He was arraigned alongside Anyim Nyerere Chinenye, Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited, and Legend World Concepts Limited as 2nd to 7th defendants respectively.
Okorocha, who was accused of refusal to stand trial, was arrested on Tuesday by the anti-graft agency after about seven-hour siege at his Abuja residence.
Okorocha, through his lawyer, Ola Olanipekun (SAN), had on Friday approached the court on a liberal terms but the request was turned down by the court.
Justice Ekwo adjourned till Tuesday for the hearing of the bail applications by Okorocha and Chinenye.
The five companies are: Naphtali International Limited, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Limited, Consolid Projects Consulting Limited, Pramif International Limited and Legend World Concepts Limited.
