Okorocha may attend APC screening as APC lists Okorocha for screening despite court appearance

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has listed embattled former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, for its presidential primary screening today despite his scheduled appearance at the Federal High Court, Abuja, in continuation of his N2.9 billion fraud case.

Senator Rochas Okorocha, former Governor of Imo State, has been granted bail at N500million by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on Tuesday, said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not show enough proof why Okorocha should be permanently detained.

The judge, then, ordered Okorocha to provide a surety, who will sign and of the same amount.

With this development, Okorocha now has less than 24 hours to perfect the bail in order to be able to attend the presidential screening of the All Progressives Congress.

Okorocha, who is facing a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal N2.9 billion in public funds during his tenure as Imo State Governor, is number 17 on the list of presidential aspirants expected by the APC screening committee.

The screening began yesterday and will end today.

If attended, Okorocha will also have to clear his membership status, financial status, academic credentials, and other requirements for a presidential candidate as spelled out in the constitution of the APC.

Also listed for the screening on the second day of the APC Special Convention include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi.

Others scheduled to appear before the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun led screening committee today include former Governor of Akwa Ibom State and immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ogbonnaya Onu, Mr Tein Jack-Rich, and Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu.

The party had commenced its screening on Monday when the likes of former Lagos State Governor and National Leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Jigawa State Governor, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, and former Zamfara State Governor, Ahmed Yerima, among others, were screened.