Battle for Royal Spring Palm Estate: 14 aides of Okorocha arraigned

Rochas Okorocha and Hope Uzodimma

Rochas Okorocha and Hope Uzodimma

Some of the defendants in court. Photo: Chidiebube Okeoma

Michael Adeshina

The battle between Rochas Okorocha and Governor Hope Uzodimma’s government took another turn on Monday as fourteen aides of the former Imo governor were arraigned before her lordship, B. U Adikaibe of Magistrate Court 4, Owerri.

Okorocha had led his team, on Sunday, to unsealed his wife’s Royal Spring Palm Estate, Owerri, seized by Uzodimma’s government.

Okorocha was later arrested and released on Sunday night.

However, his aides arraigned today are Darlington Ibekewe, Obasi Goodluck, Nwaiwu Ndubuisi, Median Ijeoma, Obor Victor, Ucheka Claudin, Sunday Chisom, Ekpendu Peace, Nev F. Raphael, Basil Mba, Steve Asimobi, Ebere Nwokeji, Eberendu Chimechifulam and Olu Chizoba.

They were accused of conspiring among themselves to disobey a lawful order issued by the state by removing the seal of the state government and entering into the sealed premises of Royal Spring Palm Hotel and Apartments belonging to Okorocha.

Darlington Ibekewe was also accused of publishing a recorded defamatory matter on social media with intent to injure the reputation of the state government and the person of Governor Hope Uzodimma by exposing to hatred, contempt, ridicule and damage his reputation.

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One of the aides, Olu Chizoba was also charged with unlawful possession of a double-barrel pump action gun without a license.

While Eddy Onyema is the leading counsel for the defendants, E.S Ibechem is the prosecutor.

After hearing bail applications for and against the defendants, the magistrate went on 15 minutes break to enable her to rule on the bail applications.

However, When the magistrate, B. U. Adikaibe, returned to the courtroom for her ruling, Ibekwe, slumped.

He was, however, revived by his fellow suspects, who pleaded for water with which he was revived.

After the incident, the court without delay granted all 14 accused persons bail of N5 million each, totaling N70 million.

The magistrate noted that the condition the court must be fulfilled before they would regain their freedom.

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