 |
| Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal |
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja on Wednesday granted N50m bail to the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, and three others.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on Tuesday arraigned the four men comprising Lawal; his brother, Hamidu Lawal; Suleiman Abubakar; and Apeh Monday, on 10 counts of fraud before the court.
Also arraigned along with them were two firms – Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd.
EFCC had alleged, among others in the 10 counts it instituted against them, that the defendants fraudulently converted cumulative proceeds of grass cutting contracts worth over N500m which Lawal, as then SGF, allegedly awarded to the companies in which he had interests.
Justice Jude Okeke had, following the four men’s plea of not guilty to the fraud charges, heard their bail applications and adjourned till Wednesday for ruling.
He ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody pending the Wednesday’s ruling.
Ruling on Wednesday, Justice Okeke granted them bail in the sum of N50m, with one surety each in like sum.
The judge said the surety must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction, and must be an owner of landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court, with evidence of tax payments for the past three years.
He added that the surety must deposit his passport with the court.
Rejecting the prosecution’s objection to the defendants’ bail application, the judge ruled that, “The prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence in line with Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 not to grant bail.
“The court can grant bail except in situations where the defendants are likely to jump bail, interfere with investigation or attempt to conceal evidence.
“The ACJA 2015 has made peculiar and extensive provisions regarding bail, and the court is guided by the provision which states that a defendant shall be entitled to bail.
“The prosecution has the right to object to the bail, but the bail application succeeds.”
He ordered the defendants to remain in the EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
He adjourned till March 18 for the commencement of trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on Tuesday arraigned the four men comprising Lawal; his brother, Hamidu Lawal; Suleiman Abubakar; and Apeh Monday, on 10 counts of fraud before the court.
Also arraigned along with them were two firms – Rholavision Engineering Ltd and Josmon Technologies Ltd.
EFCC had alleged, among others in the 10 counts it instituted against them, that the defendants fraudulently converted cumulative proceeds of grass cutting contracts worth over N500m which Lawal, as then SGF, allegedly awarded to the companies in which he had interests.
Justice Jude Okeke had, following the four men’s plea of not guilty to the fraud charges, heard their bail applications and adjourned till Wednesday for ruling.
He ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC custody pending the Wednesday’s ruling.
Ruling on Wednesday, Justice Okeke granted them bail in the sum of N50m, with one surety each in like sum.
The judge said the surety must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction, and must be an owner of landed properties within the jurisdiction of the court, with evidence of tax payments for the past three years.
He added that the surety must deposit his passport with the court.
Rejecting the prosecution’s objection to the defendants’ bail application, the judge ruled that, “The prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence in line with Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 not to grant bail.
“The court can grant bail except in situations where the defendants are likely to jump bail, interfere with investigation or attempt to conceal evidence.
“The ACJA 2015 has made peculiar and extensive provisions regarding bail, and the court is guided by the provision which states that a defendant shall be entitled to bail.
“The prosecution has the right to object to the bail, but the bail application succeeds.”
He ordered the defendants to remain in the EFCC custody pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
He adjourned till March 18 for the commencement of trial.
In this article: