Court grants former Benue Governor N250m bail
Justice Kolawole also ordered that the defendants shall surrender their international or diplomatic passports to the court.
___6866841___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___6866841___2017___6___20___11___world
Recommended articles
![Yahaya Bello recently left office as governor [KGSG]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Yahaya Bello recently left office as governor [KGSG]")
Suswam was arraigned alongside his Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, and the then Accountant of the Government House, Mrs. Janet Aluga.
The defendants were accused of diverting the sum of N9.79billion, part of which was meant for Police Reform Programme and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the 32-count charges of fraud, money laundering and financial misappropriation levelled against them.
ADVERTISEMENT
After the charges were read, counsel to Suswam and Oklobia, Tawo Tawo (SAN), applied for their bail stating that the defendants were granted bail when arraigned by the EFCC for corruption charges before Justice Ahmed Mohammed.
He added that the defendants did not jump the bail granted to them and have been attending trial.
The prosecuting counsel, Aminu Alilu, who did not object to the application for bail, asked the court to use its discretion.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, granted the defendants bail in the sum N250 million each with one surety each in like sum.
He ordered that each surety must be a director or principal officer not below Grade Level 12 in a local, state or federal establishment.
ADVERTISEMENT
The court said in a situation whereby the defendants fail to get a high ranking civil servant, persons with national honour shall suffice.
Justice Kolawole also ordered that the defendants shall surrender their international or diplomatic passports to the Deputy Registrar Litigation.
“These bail conditions shall be verified by the Deputy Chief Registrar, Litigation, and if the defendants fail to meet up with conditions today, they shall be remanded in prison.
“The surety must swear an affidavit of means in signing the bail bond and must produce recent passport photograph to the Deputy Chief registrar Litigation, ” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Judge adjourned the matter to Oct. 10, for commencement of trial.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalled that Suswam is also facing corruption charges before Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court.
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng
Recommended articles
Japa bid halted as Navy arrests 75 Nigerians hiding on container ships in Lagos
Comparing comprehensive vs third-party auto insurance in Nigeria
Kaduna Speaker to El-Rufai's son: Your threat won't stop us from probing your father
Makinde demolishes building where Yoruba Nation agitators operate from
APC chieftain, Lukman faults NWC for backing Ganduje over suspension
EFCC gets permission to drag ex-governor Yahaya Bello to court tomorrow
Court stops EFCC from arresting Yahaya Bello hours after agents surrounded his house
Tinubu hails Dangote's diesel price cut, expects economic boost
'Is this relevant?' - Nigerians react as Gov Adeleke signs bill for new Osun State logo
Pulse Sports
Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami
Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe
Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
![Nigerians in diaspora are urged to be patriotic toward the nation [Jenny M.C.]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'300'%20height%3D'172'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Nigerians in diaspora are urged to be patriotic toward the nation [Jenny M.C.]")