The Nation Newspaper

Tag: bail

  • Pension convict Yusuf granted bail

    Pension convict Yusuf granted bail

    Reprieve yesterday came the way of the pension convict, Mr. John Yakubu Yusuf.

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, granted him N10 million bail with one surety in like sum, who must not be below the rank of a director in the civil service.

    The surety who must be a resident in Abuja must show evidence of landed property with the title document submitted to the Chief Registrar of the court for authentication.

    The court also ordered Yusuf to deposit his international passport and that he cannot travel without the permission of the court.

    Ruling on the bail application yesterday, Justice Bello said: “I have carefully considered the application with due regards to the affidavit evidence.

    “It is clear that parties agreed in granting bail, the court must exercise its discretion judicially and judiciously”.

    Observing that the prosecution highlighted that Yusuf had been convicted of a similar crime by an Abuja High Court, the Judge said the two cases were different.

    According to him, the accused is presumed innocent in the present case since he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Justice Bello said he earlier remanded the accused in prison because of the uproar that greeted his earlier conviction and to keep him from the public glare for his safety.

    “Considering that investigation had been concluded and trial commenced in this case, I have decided to exercise discretion in his favour”, the Judge said before adjourning till Aprill 22 for trial.

    Yusufu, an Assistant Director in Police Pension Office was on January 28 sentenced to two year-jail by an Abuja High Court for conspiring to steal about N23.3 billion.

    He was, however, re-arrested and re-arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for false declaration of asset after he was given an option of fine by the court.

    Yusuf was rearraigned for willfully “failing to disclose his interest in a private company known as SY-A Global Services Limited, a company owned by him and immediate members of his family.

    The offence is punishable under Section 27(3) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, CAP E1 2004.

    He was also accused of not declaring about N289 million in his fixed deposit accounts.

    He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded in Kuje Prison by Justice Adamu Bello pending hearing and determination of his bail application.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Court grants bail to 15 Russians

    Court grants bail to 15 Russians

    •Directs Ambassador to ensure their availability for trial

    Reprieve yesterday came the way of 15 Russians charged with unlawful importation of arms and ammunition. A Federal High Court in Lagos has granted them bail.

    They are to be released to the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria, who is to produce them for trial.

    Their ship – MV Myre Seadiver is equally to be released following the defence’s provision of $500,000 bond to be obtained from First Bank Plc.

    Justice Okechukwu Okeke set these conditions in a ruling filed by the defence.

    The conditions were suggested by prosecution lawyer Ernest Ezebilo.

    The 15 accused were arraigned on February 19 on a four-count charge, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    They were arrested aboard a cargo ship – MV Myre Seadiver-containing the alleged unlawful shipment, within the nation’s territorial waters in Lagos on October 18 last year by men of the Nigerian Navy.

    The accused include Zhelyazkov Andrey (the captain of the ship) (53), Savchenko Sergrey (36), Chichikanov Vasily (49), Varlygin Igor (48), Komilov Alexandr (32), Lopatin Alexey (38), Baranovskly Nikolay (50).

    Others are Mishin Pavel (31), LLia Shubov (33), Dmitry Bannyrn (40), Alexander Tsarikov (44), Kononov Sergel (44), Korotchenko Andrey (23), Vorobev Mikhail (40) and Stepan Oleksuik (52).

    Yesterday, defence lawyer, Chukwuwike Okafor had, while arguing his clients’ bail application, urged the court to make an order granting bail to all the accused and their vessel.

    He noted that since the essence of bail was to ensure accused attend trial, his clients should be allowed on bail.

    Okafor told the court that his clients would be available for trial, if granted bail.

    At that point, Justice Okeke asked the prosecution lawyer to state the conditions under which the accused could be admitted into bail.

    Replying, Ezebilo said, for the sake of overriding public interest, the accused could be released on bail to the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria, who must produce them as the need arises.

    He said the vessel could also be released should the defence provide $500,000 bond.

    Justice Okeke adopted the conditions.

    The judge held that the accused should be released on bail to the Russian Ambassador in Nigeria, who will produce them from time to time.

    Justice Okeke suggested three banks, any of which the bond could be obtained.

    They are First bank, Zenith and Guarantee Trust bank.

    The Russian consul officer, Radomir Ganich chose First Bank, following which the judge ordered that the bond be obtained from First Bank.

    He adjourned to April 10 for trial.

     

    The accused are charged with importation, without lawful authority, of “a cache of firearms and ammunitions prohibited from importation under Section 18 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004”.

    The accused persons were said to have been in possession of firearms prohibited under Part 1 of the Schedule to the Firearms Act Cap F28 LFN 2004, without a license.

    The ship and its captain are also accused of unlawfully entering the country through its territorial waters “without due clearance and declaration of the goods carried therein on board the ship”.

     

     

  • Blade Runner Pistorius in court for murder bail hearing

    Blade Runner Pistorius in court for murder bail hearing

    Blade Runner Oscar Pistorius, the South African double amputee who became one of the biggest names in world athletics, arrived in court on Tuesday. He is to apply for bail after being charged with murder of his girlfriend.

    The arrest of the 26-year-old Olympic and Paralympic sprinter stunned millions across the world who held him up as a hero for triumphing over adversity to compete with able-bodied athletes at the highest level of sport.

    His girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp, was found shot dead in his Pretoria home in the early hours of Thursday, with initial reports suggesting Pistorius may have mistaken her for an intruder. However, police said Steenkamp, who was buried on Tuesday, was killed by more than one gunshot and that Pistorius was the only suspect.

    The police also said that neighbours had earlier heard disturbances in the home. They said a 9 mm pistol was recovered at the house, where there was no sign of a break in.

    Since the arrest, South African newspapers have published lurid, unconfirmed details of the killing. If true, they are likely to undermine any potential argument of self-defence, experts say.

    His agent said Pistorius, who faces life in prison if found guilty, disputes the murder charge “in the strongest possible terms’’.

    Prosecutors were expected to oppose any request for bail at Tuesday’s hearing, suggesting they will have to present to the court the full version of the shooting as laid out in the charge sheet. Pistorius arrived at the court in a police car shortly before 0500 GMT.

    Proceedings were due to start at 0900 GMT, but there were chaotic scenes as more than 100 journalists jostled to get to the courtroom with attendant delay in the resumption of the hearing. The case has also put a harsh spotlight on the violence against women endemic in South Africa, which is still reeling from the gang-rape, mutilation and murder of a 17-year-old near Cape Town this month.

    Members of the Women’s League of the ruling African National Congress protested outside the building, waving placards saying: “No Bail for Pistorius’’.

    At his bail hearing on Friday, the athlete broke down in tears when the charges were read and prosecutors said they believed the killing was premeditated. The hearing was adjourned after 40 minutes and Pistorius was taken back to the Pretoria police station where he has been held since.

    A statement from his family at the weekend said he was “numb’’ with shock and grief.

  • Detained ACN members get bail

    Detained ACN members get bail

    Five members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who were arrested by the police on October 3 after the party’s rally in Ondo town, were yesterday granted bail by an Akure Magistrate’s Court, after spending 27 days at Olokuta Prison, Akure.

    The were granted N500,000 bail each and are to produce two sureties.

    The sureties must be civil servants and landlords.

    Two of the accused, Samson Otugbo (66) and Oyewole Gabriel (67), accused the police of witch-hunting them because they were ACN members.

    They alleged that they were arrested in Ondo for wearing vests with the inscription: “Akeredolu for Governor”.

    They alleged that they were taken to the police headquarters in Akure and were detained on trumped-up charges.

    The court refused the accused bail on October 5 following objection by the Attorney-General of Ondo State, Justice Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), who took over the case from the police prosecutor.

    Counsel to the accused Titiloye Charles said it was wrong for them to be remanded in prison custody when the prosecution failed to begin the trial or produce any witness to substantiate its allegation.

    The prosecution team from the Attorney-General’s office was not in court yesterday. Magistrate F. A. Akintoye was also absent. He was said to have begin his leave.

    His ruling on the bail application was read by a Magistrate Court Seven on his behalf.

    The families of the accused alleged that the suspects were remanded in prison custody to prevent them from participating in the election.

     

  • Ex-NBA vice-president gets bail

    Former Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Blessing Ukiri was yesterday granted bail by Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court (FHC) 3, sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Ukiri was arrested and detained last Friday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly converting money meant for his client to private use and money laundering.

    He was arraigned on Monday and the court remanded him in prison custody.

    Ukiri allegedly converted the N35 million judgment sum paid by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to his client, Mr. Samuel Onowighose, to personal use.

    He allegedly used part of the money to buy 150,000 units of First Bank of Nigeria Plc shares, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 14 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition act.

    Five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) – A. Akpomudje, Sebastine Hon, B. Nwafor, G. Abibo and Lucius Nwosu – and 36 other lawyers were at the hearing of the bail application yesterday to defend and show solidarity with Ukiri.

    EFCC counsel A. I. Apogha opposed the bail application on the grounds that Ukiri might jump bail or influence the prosecution’s witnesses.

    But Akpomudje insisted that the charge was a bailable offence and his client would not jump bail.

    Justice Agomoh granted Ukiri bail for N2 million and told him to produce two SANs in as sureties.

    The matter was adjourned till November 29.

    Immediately after the court session, Akpomudje told the people in the crowded court room to move to the nearby Law Centre, the state office of the NBA in Port Harcourt, situated within the State High Court Complex, for “jollification.”

    Speaking with reporters after the court session, Ukiri said: “The funds for which I am charged for money laundering are my earned legal fees and a judgment debt against the United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc in suit No. PHC/156/2008: E. B. Ukiri vs UBA Plc.”

  • Arisekola-Alao’s son gets N75m bail

    Justice Lateefat Okunnu of an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, yesterday granted bail to an oil marketer, Abdullahi Alao, accused of conspiring with others to commit N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

    Abdullahi, son of a prominent businessman, Alhaji Abdullazeez Arisekola-Alao, was granted N75 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Justice Okunnu also granted N100 million bail to Abdullahi’s co-defendant, Olarenwaju Olalusi, a Sterling Bank Plc official.

    The judge did not order Olalusi to produce a surety.

    She directed that Abdullahi’s sureties must be resident in Lagos State and must be employed.

    They must also depose to an affidavit of means.

    She added that one of the sureties must own a property in Lagos State. The other must be a director in a public or private organisation in Nigeria.

    Justice Okunnu said the sureties must produce three years’ tax clearance and that their documents should be verified by an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The judge ordered Abdulahi to deposit his international passport and other travelling documents with the court’s chief registrar.

    He must not travel without the court’s permission.

    The judge also directed him to report monthly to the EFCC office throughout the duration of his trial.

    Justice Okunnu said Olalusi would be granted bail on the condition that his employers would provide a N100 million bail bond.

    The judge said: “The bond should be backed up with a bank guarantee, which is to be deposited with the chief registrar of the court.”

    She also directed Olalusi to deposit his international passport and other travelling documents with the chief registrar, adding that he should not travel without the court’s permission.

    Justice Okunnu said Olalusi should also report monthly to the EFCC office throughout the duration of the trial.

  • Capital Oil boss, others refused bail

    Capital Oil boss, others refused bail

    THe detained Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas Limited, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, and four principal officers of his company yesterday lost their bid for freedom.

    Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Lagos, refused their ex-parte application in which they sought to be released by the police.

    Also detained were Nsikan Usoro (Head of Trading), Godfrey Okorie (Depot Manager), Chibuzor Ogbuokiri (General Manager, Operations) and Orji Joseph Anayo (Executive Director, Operations).

    They were arrested on October 9 by the Police’s Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of N43.291billion in the fuel subsidy fund.

    Last Thursday, a Magistrate’s Court at Tinubu, Lagos presided over by Martins Owunmi, granted the police request to remand them.

    He ordered that they be kept in police custody for 14 days.

    The police said the accused were being investigated for offences of on economic sabotage, obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.

    They were accused of defrauding the Federal Government “by falsely pretending that the company has imported and sold 538.74 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit last year in 26 transactions.”

    But their lawyer, Joseph Nwobike (SAN), yesterday argued the ex-parte application , challenging their continued detention.

    Named as respondents were the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police, SFU and Francis Idu Alonyenu.

    The application marked: contained two prayers.

    The first was for an order directing that the applicants be admitted to bail or be released, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The second was for an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from further arresting and detaining the applicants in relation to the fuel subsidy issue, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    Nwobike was, however, silent on the earlier proceedings at the Magistrate’s Court.

    He argued that his clients were being unjustly held since they reported at the SFU, Ikoyi, Lagos on October 9.

    Nwobike said by denying his clients administrative bail and refusing to arraign them in court within the constitutionally prescribed period, the police have contravened Section 36 (4) (5), (a), (b) of the 1999 Constitution.

    But Justice Abang held that the orders sought were impossible in nature.

    He said he would hear from the respondents before pronouncing on the application.

    The judge held that there was an “urgent, compelling and deserving need to put the respondents on notice before a decision is taken.”

    The judge, relying on Order 26 Rule 10 of the court’s Civil Procedure Rules, converted the ex-parte application to a motion on notice.

    He ordered that the motion and a copy of his order be served on the respondents.

    Justice Abang gave the respondents till noon today to file their response and fixed hearing for 1 pm .

    Three officials of an oil marketing firm, Matrix Energy Ltd, who were also being detained on the order of Owunmi, filed a similar application yesterday before the Federal High Court.

    The trio are Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu (.Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer), Yusuf Adebowale Oyolola (Operations Manager) and Adewale Akinde (Accountant).

    Their application is yet to be assigned for hearing.