An Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates’ Court yesterday turned down the bail application of two suspects accused of stealing $50,000 from the Ekiti State Government House.
The Chief Magistrate, Adesoji Adegboye, said the court would not grant Temitope Bamidele and Sunday Afolabi bail because the prosecution has signified intention to try the case in the High Court.
The ruling followed an application by state counsel Mrs. Bola Oyewole, who said the attorney general and commissioner for justice was taking over the prosecution.
The prosecution filed a motion to substitute and separate the charges against the duo and the third accused, Shuaibu Amidu, a foreign exchange dealer, who changed the dollars to naira for the co-accused.
Bamidele’s counsel Tosin Ogundahunsi insisted that the application from the attorney general was not enough to stop the court’s ruling, saying all parties were in court for the ruling.
Afolabi’s counsel Emmanuel Adedeji argued that although the attorney general has the power to take over the matter, the court must be put on notice.
Adegboye said: “Since the intent of the prosecution is to try the accused at the High Court, the bail of the accused is refused. Counsel are advised to seek for bail at the High Court.”
The matter was consequently adjourned till February 9 for mention.
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