Justice J. O.
Abdul Malik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on
Thursday, July 6, 2017 granted bail to a former Minister of FCT, Oloye Jumoke
Akinjide, who is standing trial over N650 million allegedly collected during
the 2015 general election.
Others
granted bails alongside Akinjide are Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun and Olanrewaju
Otiti, both chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The
defendants are being prosecuted on an amended 12-count charge bordering on
money laundering.
At the
sitting today, Akinjide’s counsel informed the court that they had a pending
bail application praying the court to grant the defendant bail on self
recognition.
The counsel
further informed the court that they were at a stage of settlement with the
EFCC.
Responding,
Idris Abdullahi Mohammed, counsel to EFCC, told the court that they were not
opposing the bail application as he confirmed the settlement move.
On the other
hand, Adeseun’s counsel, Michael F. Lana, while praying the court to grant the
second defendant bail on self recognition, observed that “Adeseun had served
the society in different capacities as a Local Government Chairman in Oyo
State, member of the House of Representatives and a Senator of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria”.
Abdullahi,
however, disagreed saying, “Senator Adeseun cannot be trusted”.
According to
him, “Adeseun is not a man of his words. After he was released on
administrative bail by the EFCC, he refused to appear before the court to take
his plea until he was rearrested and brought before this honorable court
today".
Abdullahi,
however, did not oppose Otiti’s application when his counsel, Adeniyi Ishola,
urged the court to admit him to bail on liberal terms.
Saharareporters reported that Justice
Malik admitted Akinjide to bail on self recognition, while bail was granted to
Adeseun and Otiti in the sum of N100 million each with one each surety in like
sum. The sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the
court and must be directors in the public or civil service.
“All the
defendants shall deposit their international passports with the Chief Registrar
of the court. The 2nd and 3rd defendants are to be remanded in the EFCC custody
pending the perfection of their bail conditions”, the judge added.
The case has
been adjourned to September 12, 2017 for commencement of trial.
Wilson
Uwujaren
Head, Media
& Publicity
July 6, 2017
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