AFederal High Court in Abuja has discharged former Imo Governor Senator Rochas Okorocha and six others from a N3billion fraud charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a ruling on Monday, Justice Inyang Ekwo upheld the objection raised by the defendants against the propriety of the charge.

Justice Ekwo held that the EFCC acted unlawfully when it ignored the directive by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and proceeded to initiate the criminal proceeding against Okorocha and others.

The judge held that the EFCC, like every other law enforcement/prosecuting agencies, was under the obligation to defer to the directive of the AGF in deciding whether or not to prosecute an alleged offender.

Justice Ekwo held that the failure of the EFCC to comply with the directive by the AGF that it submits the case-file in the case involving Okorocha and others for review rendered the criminal proceeding it initiated against them a nullity.

The judge voided the proceeding and discharged the defendants – Okorocha, Nyerere Chinyere, Naphtali International Ltd, Perfect Finish Multi Projects Ltd, Consolid Projects Consulting Ltd, Pramif International Ltd and Legend World Concepts Ltd.

THE NATION