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Tag: Col. Sambo Dasuki

  • Falana’s request

    The claim that the State Security Service (SSS) has about 294 suspects in its custody, awaiting trial, is shocking. It is shocking because, except for the notorious detention of Col. Sambo Dasuki and Sheik Ibrahim El Zakzaky, which we abhor, there is no information that as many as 294 other citizens could be languishing in SSS cells. The shock morphs into disbelief because, unlike in the military era when abuse of fundamental human rights was rampant, we are operating a constitutional democracy, which prohibits unlawful detention of citizens.

    So, when one of Nigeria’s foremost lawyers, Femi Falana (SAN), claims that he has information about such a huge number of detainees, every Nigerian democrat must be alarmed. We therefore join him to demand that the SSS must release information on the names and alleged offences of the detainees, forthwith. Indeed, we urge President Muhammadu Buhari, who swore openly to defend the 1999 constitution (as amended) to immediately order for a discreet report on the alleged detention, for immediate oversight action.

    Falana, who came under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, last week, wrote to the then Acting SSS Director-General, Mathew Seiyefa, demanding for information with respect to the said detainees. He claimed to have received the information from some of the detainees recently released from the SSS custody by Seiyefa. The released detainees reportedly claimed that the 294 persons were detained in underground cells in dehumanising conditions.

    The eminent lawyer wrote: “in exercise of my right under the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request you to avail me of the names of the 294 detainees and the particulars of the criminal offences allegedly committed by each of them. In case any of the detainees has been charged with any offence in any court of law, you are also requested to supply the details of the cases and the trial courts.” The DG of the DSS is compelled by law to provide the requested information within seven days, from the receipt of the letter.

    Falana went further to remind the DG of the provisions of the constitution prohibiting such illegal detention, as alleged. In the letter, he wrote: “no person can be legally detained beyond 48 hours without a court order in any part of Nigeria under the current democratic dispensation.” Bearing this constitutional imperative in mind, he admonished the agency: “you will agree with me that the detention of the 294 persons in the custody of the DSS for over two years is the height of official impunity”.

    He restated that such impunity: “constitutes a gross infringement of their fundamental human right to personal liberty guaranteed by section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.” We agree with the above statements on human rights of citizens, and have every belief that the President would agree with the submission.

    Considering that as military Head of State in the 1980s, the Buhari regime, in its efforts to clean the mess left by the civilian government that it overthrew, was viewed as highhanded on human rights, we urge the President not to be associated with such tendency as a democratically elected President. The warning is even more imperative, because the immediate past Director-General of SSS had shown himself to be contemptuous of the rule of law, and his sins must not be visited on the President.

    We earnestly doubt if President Buhari could have acquiesced to such huge number of detainees by the SSS. After all, the agency is not the police empowered to prevent, detect and prosecute crime; responsibilities that could yield a high number of detainees awaiting trial. We wonder under what guise the SSS could be fishing in crime waters to harvest such a high number of detainees. Considering that the SSS is a secret police, its operations are mostly discreet, and except for acts threatening national security, once its opacity is about to be compromised, such investigation ordinarily should be handed over to the police to deal with, and where necessary, to prosecute.

    The alleged impunity is further heightened by the claim by Falana that the detention had lasted for over two years. If that claim is true, then those involved have done a huge discredit to the integrity of the President as an elected democrat. That is why the President must dig deep, to find out whether there are those who, while pretending to be loyal to him, are remarkably undermining his reputation. Without prejudice to the investigation, we demand that the detainees be released without further delay.

     

  • Supreme Court to rule March 2 on Dasuki’s detention

    Supreme Court to rule March 2 on Dasuki’s detention

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday fixed March 2 next year for judgment on an appeal by former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, challenging his alleged indefinite detention.

    The panel of five Justices, led by Dattijo Mohammed, gave the date after counsels to the parties in the case adopted their addresses.

    The ex-NSA had on June 15, 2016 at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, lost his bid to enforce his freedom after securing bails on all the charges against him.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Dasuki is standing trial for allegedly mismanaging 2.1 billion dollars meant for purchase of arms to fight the Boko Haram insurgents.
    Dasuki’s counsel, Mr Joe Daudu, argued that the decision of the Court of Appeal was erroneous, adding that it was incumbent on the Supreme Court to restore the integrity of all courts.

    Daudu submitted that it was out of place for the court of appeal to scuttle the fundamental rights of a citizen after well-considered decisions of four courts that admitted the applicant to bail.
    He said that his client needed the bail to prepare his defence, adding that he could not have access to security documents while in detention.

    “My Lords, Dasuki is already being treated as a convict, even when none of the charges brought against him has been concluded.

    “We sincerely pray this esteemed court to do the needful by setting aside the decision of the lower court.

    “We also pray the court to momentarily halt the applicant’s trial until the Federal Government obeys the bail order of court,’’ Daudu said.

    Mr Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to EFCC, opposed the appeal, saying that it lacked merit and should be dismissed.

    He said the bail condition granted Dasuki was perfected on Dec. 29, 2015, adding that a warrant of release to that effect was served on the Comptroller of Prisons in Kuje, upon which he was released.

    Jacobs said the Federal Government had not violated his rights, adding that the applicant was only re-arrested by the operatives of the DSS over other fraud allegations.

    He said that it was unfair for the applicant to consider his re-arrest as a disobedience to court’s order on his bail.

    He said that no court bail was targeted at the DSS when granted.

    “The EFCC which put Dasuki on trial on criminal charges at the FCT High Court cannot be held responsible for the action of the DSS on the ground that the two agencies are different entities.

    “Besides, My Lords, the appeal court has said there was no existing order against the re-arrest of Dasuki.

    “Suffice to say that there cannot be a disobedience to a non-existing court order.

    “We pray the apex court to affirm the decision of the lower court which ordered the continuation of the applicant’s trial even while he remains in detention,’’ he said.

    Dasuki had approached Supreme Court praying it to set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal which exonerated EFCC from his re-arrest shortly after he perfected his bail conditions.

    He further asked the court to void the ruling of the Federal High Court.

    The trial court had held that DSS and EFCC were distinct agents of the Federal Government, which is the complainant in the charges against the applicant.

    Dasuki had alleged that such pronouncement had given the two agents of government handling the trial to act at variance and against justice.

     

  • Bafarawa loses bid to separate trial from Dasuki

    Bafarawa loses bid to separate trial from Dasuki

    Former Sokoto  governor, Attharu Bafarawa and his son Sagir in an FCT High Court  Maitama lost their bid to separate their trial from the former National Security Adviser, retired Col. Sambo Dasuki.

    Others in the trial on Thursday are Amb. BashirYuguda Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, Sagir Attahiru of Dalhatu Investment Ltd.

    They were arraigned earlier on a 22-count charge bordering on diversion, conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust of about N19.4 billion.

    Bafarawa and Sagir, who are fourth and fifth defendants in the charges had earlier complained to the Court that their joint trial with Dasuki was affecting their daily lives because of the incessant delay of the trial.

    In their motion for separation of the case argued by the counsel, Dr Kayode Olatoke (SAN), they claimed that they could be prosecuted separately apart from Dasuki to ensure accelerated trial.

    They claimed that a joint charge against them and other defendants for the alleged offences committed together did not mean that they could not have separate trial since other defendants would not be prejudiced.

    The ex-governor and his son informed the court that their trial outside Dasuki would guarantee their constitutional rights to a speedy trial within a reasonable time in line with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

    They claimed that the trial, which started since 2015 could not make progress because of the various motions filed by other defendants whom they claimed, had led to constant delay.

    They further claimed that the continued detention of Dasuki by DSS and the inability to bring him to court for trial had negatively affected the trial causing delays that had affected their businesses and daily lives.

    The judge, Justice Husseni Baba-Yusuf dismissed the motion, saying that it had been overtaken by events, especially with the presence of Dasuki in court this Thursday.

    “Those with the power to produced Dasuki in court for trial along with Bafarawa, son, and other defendants have already produced him in court and I hope they will continue to produce him,’’ he said.

    The judge held that it would be speculative to assume that Dasuki would not be present in court on the subsequent trial dates.

    He adjourned the matter until Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 for definite hearing.

  • Dasuki: Absence of judge stalls commencement of trial

    Dasuki: Absence of judge stalls commencement of trial

    The absence of Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf on Thursday stalled the trial of former National Security Adviser(NSA),retired Col. Sambo Dasuki in an FCT High Court Maitama .

    Dasuki, NSA to former President Goodluck Jonathan, was arraigned on a 22- count charge, bordering on diversion, conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust involving N19.4 billion.

    Others in the trial are: Amb. BashirYuguda, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, Dalhatu Investment Ltd, Sagir Attahiru and Attahiru Bafaarawa, former governor of Sokoto State.

    The judge was unavoidably absent to hear the case adjourned until Thursday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court did not sit but the defendants and their counsel were present in court except Dasuki.

    The trial was adjourned until Sept. 27 with the consent of all the counsel in the matter.

    NAN also reports that Dasuki was also arraigned on another 19-count charge bordering on diversion of funds pending in the same court.

    He is being tried alongside Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, and Aminu Baba-Kusa ,a former NNPC Executive Director.
    Also being tried were two firms, Acacia Holding Limited and Reliance Referral Hospital Limited.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred the charges against the defendants since 2015.

     

  • Why El-Zakzaky, Dasuki are in detention  

    Why El-Zakzaky, Dasuki are in detention  

    The Buhari administration has not failed Nigerians, the Presidency said yesterday.

    Besides, a proper assessment of the government’s performance could only be done at the end of its tenure, officials said.

    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu and Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Laolu Akande fielded questions from reporters at the State House in Abuja. It was a review of the administration’s two years at the helm.

    They also spoke on why Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky and Col. Sambo Dasuki are still in detention in spite of court orders for their release.

    Adesina said the All Progressives Congress (APC) “has four years to deliver and not two years”.

    The person that asked the question said there is a buzz in town. I am sure that you have not conducted a scientific survey that shows you that is a popular position. People can always express their opinions; there is liberty on that but you don’t have a scientific survey that has given you the percentage of people that believed that the APC has failed.

    “Like the minister of transportation said recently, the APC did not promise to solve all the country’s problems in one year or two years.

    “This administration will take Nigeria far beyond how it met it. So if anybody says APC has failed, just tell them it is too early in the day because it is a four-year term and this is just two years. You don’t reach definitive conclusions in two years.”

    TRENDING: This debit alert from GeNs@gtbank.com

    On the alarm by Army chief Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai: Adesina said: “The Army has spoken and let us take that position. What the Chief of Army Staff said was a routine warning that goes to military officers – don’t hobnob with politicians –  and the army has explained the position, let’s take that position and not stretch it beyond what the military has said because they are the ones that can give us the definitive position and they have spoken on it.”

    Stressing that the masses were happy with President Buhari, Mallam Garba Shehu said: “If elections were held today, Buhari will win overwhelmingly.  The masses are still with him.

    The ordinary Nigerians are the pillars of the Buhari administration and their confidence in his administration has remained unshaken. The whistle-blower policy has excited them. They are happy that their stolen money is being recovered. The masses are happy but those elite whose sources of ill-gotten wealth have been blocked are not.

    On why Dasuki and El-Zakzaky are still in detention, Shehu said: ”It is a common thing in all nations of the world that there are matters of public safety.

    “The Attorney General and Minister of Justice has made his points here. In all cases, public good should override individual interest.”

    He said El-Zak Zaky family members and relatives had unhindered access to him.

    “On the issue of El-Zak Zaky, the information we have is that he is being kept more for his own safety than the offences he committed.

    ”If you set him free today, what do you think will likely be the reactions out there on the streets of Kaduna or in the streets of Zazzau where he comes from?.’’

    RELATED: Travails of El-Zakzaky

     

    He said Dasuki was being held because he had other criminal cases to answer, adding that his release might affect the investigation of cases against him.

    On the Chibok girls, Shehu said the government had no peculiar interest in keeping them, stressing that most of them preferred to stay in Abuja and “don’t want to return home.”

    “The human rights records of this administration are impeccable; they are unimpeachable. I think we should avoid speaking in general terms. The thing to do is to pinpoint specific cases to buttress assertions that people make and then we can tackle them.”

    Shehu defended the power situation, saying: “It is also a mistake to say power has deteriorated under this administration because when we came in 2015, power generation was 3,324MW, it increased to 4,357MW as at August 2015, barely three months after President Buhari came to power and rose to the peak of 5,077MW in 2016, it was the highest power generated in the country.

    “At present, the average generation is about 3,000mw. This is as a result of vandalism or gas pipeline infrastructure and also low water in our dams. The power sector is also gaining gradually from the peace in the Niger Delta. Usually, we experience low generation of power during dry season and this is not because of the Buhari administration.

    “Government is investing heavily in power and has been licensing a lot of renewable energy projects, which is the future. We are doing what is called energy mix, we are not just doing gas power, we are doing hydro etc.”

    On alleged weak prosecution, Akande said: “Our criminal justice system does need a profound and deep reform. The important thing is that this government is working on it. The Acting President has put together a national prosecution coordination team for all the cases to see how in the medium term we can bring some progress but also working on justice sector reforms in the long term, on criminal justice system to strengthen both the investigation and prosecution at the courts. And I know it is going to take a while for us to address it.”

     

  • Nigeria now a gestapo state under APC – Makarfi

    Nigeria now a gestapo state under APC – Makarfi

    The Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government of running a Gestapo state.

    According to the faction, the country is fast drifting into a dictatorship and possible anarchy under the present administration.

    A statement on Thursday by the spokesman of the Makarfi camp, Prince Dayo Adyeye complained that prominent individuals that held public office in the last administration are being arrested and detained indefinitely without trial.

    “For instance, the former Governor of Benue State, Mr. Gabriel Suswam was arrested by men of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and has been in detention for over two months now without trial.

    “Also, the former Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu was arrested on April 5, 2017 by officers of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and like the others, he has been in detention and yet no case has been filed against him in any court by the anti-graft agency.

    “Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki has been in custody for about two years now without trial. Similar brutality, arrest and mindless detention went on with other PDP leaders and members that were arrested by either the DSS or the EFCC”, the statement said.

    The opposition further lamented what it described as media trial and conviction of opposition elements before they are proven innocent or otherwise by the courts.

    The statement continued, “It is also very clear in the Constitution of Nigeria that no security agency has the right or power to detain suspects more than 48 hours without trial.

    “Ironically, while former leaders and members of the PDP are being arrested indiscriminately and detained without trial, other former office holders of the ruling APC who have been accused of various corrupt practices are yet to be arrested. Instead, they are compensated with juicy ministerial appointments -double standards.

    “We are in a constitutional democracy and as such, the present APC administration must lead by example and obey court orders. It is on record that most of these suspects have been granted bail by the courts of the land and the ECOWAS Court in the case of Col. Sambo Dasuki .This is sheer lawlessness!

    “We wish to further assure the public that the PDP is not against the anti-corruption fight. Our stand is that the present APC government must follow due process in dealing with issues of corruption as the PDP did during its governments without violating human rights of citizens, especially those suspects that may later be found innocent by the law court”.

    Accusing the administration of injustice and vendetta, Makarfi called on the government to charge all those in detention to court and those granted bail by the courts must be freed immediately.

    The party vowed to deploy all constitutional means both domestic and international to seek redress against what it described as Gestapo rule.

    The party reminded the administration that the country is under a democracy and that Nigerians are fed up with undemocratic rule.

    “We advise this government to stop forthwith; all actions that tend to heat up the system and push citizens into taking extreme measures in self defence.

    “The economic hardship brought upon Nigerians by APC misrule is bad enough, abridging the people’s rights on top of that is like adding salt to injury”, the statement added

     

  • Fresh application stalls commencement of Dasuki’s trial

    Fresh application stalls commencement of Dasuki’s trial

    A fresh application filed by retired Col. Sambo Dasuki on Friday stalled commencement of his trial at an FCT High Court, Maitama.

    His counsel, Mr Ahmed Raji (SAN), told the court that he was not ready for the commencement of trial because he has an application for consolidation, pending before the court.

    “It will amount to a waste of time if the issue of the application is not resolved because it has a connection with the sister case” he said.

    Responding, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), the prosecuting counsel, decried delay in commencing trial, adding that after arraignment in 2015, trial was yet to commence.

    “Your lordship gave a sufficient time since the last sitting on Jan. 24 in which the 2nd defendant (Dasuki) could have filed any motion, but he filed it only yesterday, and the sister case has commenced already.

    “He just wanted to try his luck, this should not be a legal gambling” he said.

    Other defendants in the suit are: Amb. BashirYuguda, Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, Dalhatu Investment Ltd, Sagir Attahiru and Attahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto State.

    They were arraigned on a 22- count charge bordering on diversion, conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust of about N19.4 billion.

    In the sister case Dasuki was arraigned on a 19-count charge bordering on diversion of funds.

    Other defendant are: Shuaibu Salisu, a former Director of Finance, Office of the National Security Adviser, Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC Executive Director, among others.

    All the cases are now pending before Justice Husseni Baba-Yusuf

    Justice Baba-Yusuf after listening to the submissions from parties adjourned the case till March 2 for hearing of Dasuki’s motion.

  • Arms deal: Court rejects Obadina’s request to travel for checkup

    Arms deal: Court rejects Obadina’s request to travel for checkup

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday rejected an application filed by Olugbenga Obadina, a businessman, standing trial for alleged money laundering to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Obadina was alleged to have received over N2 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser under retired Col. Sambo Dasuki without a contract award.

    At the resumed hearing, counsel to Obadina, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) made the application for the temporary release of his passport to enable him to travel for medical treatment abroad.

    Uche said that the medical papers testifying to the need for the defendant to seek treatment were attached to the affidavit that was deposed to by the applicant himself.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Larry Aso, opposed the application on the grounds that the medical papers emanated from the clinic of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, which was not related to the applicant in any way.

    Aso maintained that the prosecution still held onto its earlier stand that the defendant was a flight risk, adding that ulcer, the ailment the defendant was seeking treatment for could be handled in Nigeria.

    He added that the prosecution was relying on the records of the court of Jan. 27, where the defendant’s surety, Mrs Maryam Sagir applied to withdraw her suretyship.

    In his ruling, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, said that in applying the discretion of the court, he was not minded to grant the application.

    “I have considered carefully the application of the defendant for the release of his passport to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    “Traditionally, the court has always maintained a liberal approach in releasing passport for medical treatment based on the presumption that the defendant is innocent until proved otherwise.

    “Also, going by what transpired on July 15, 2016 during his arraignment where he refused to present his bio data and the happenings of January 27 were questions were raised concerning his surety ship.

    “Even though the issue of the surety has been resolved, I am not minded to grant the application in favour of the applicant.”

    He dismissed the application, adding that the court might take a different view in a subsequent application if compelling evidence was presented.

    Dimgba adjourned the matter to March 22 for the continuation of hearing.

    Earlier, Mr Victor Agunzi, counsel to Sagir who had applied to withdraw her suretyship told the court that the parties had met and sorted out their differences.

    Agunzi said as a result, Sagir would continue as Obadina’s surety.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sagir had applied to withdraw her suretyship on the grounds that Obadina had not kept to the conditions they agreed on.

  • Arms deal: Court rejects Obadina’s request

    Arms deal: Court rejects Obadina’s request

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday rejected an application filed by Olugbenga Obadina, a businessman, standing trial for alleged money laundering to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Obadina was alleged to have received over N2 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser under retired Col. Sambo Dasuki without a contract award.

    At the resumed hearing, counsel to Obadina, Chief Chris Uche (SAN) made the application for the temporary release of his passport to enable him to travel for medical treatment abroad.

    Uche said that the medical papers testifying to the need for the defendant to seek treatment were attached to the affidavit that was deposed to by the applicant himself.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Larry Aso, opposed the application on the grounds that the medical papers emanated from the clinic of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, which was not related to the applicant in any way.

    Aso maintained that the prosecution still held onto its earlier stand that the defendant was a flight risk, adding that ulcer, the ailment the defendant was seeking treatment for could be handled in Nigeria.

    He added that the prosecution was relying on the records of the court of Jan. 27, where the defendant’s surety, Mrs Maryam Sagir applied to withdraw her suretyship.

    In his ruling, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba said that in applying the discretion of the court, he was not minded to grant the application.

    “I have considered carefully the application of the defendant for the release of his passport to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    “Traditionally, the court has always maintained a liberal approach in releasing passport for medical treatment based on the presumption that the defendant is innocent until proved otherwise.

    “Also, going by what transpired on July 15, 2016, during his arraignment where he refused to present his bio data and the happenings of Jan. 27, where questions were raised concerning his suretyship.

    “Even though the issue of the surety has been resolved, I am not minded to grant the application in favour of the applicant.”

    He dismissed the application, adding that the court might take a different view in a subsequent application if compelling evidence was presented.

    Dimgba adjourned the matter to March 22 for the continuation of hearing.

    Earlier, Mr Victor Agunzi, counsel to Sagir who had applied to withdraw her suretyship told the court that the parties had met and sorted out their differences.

    Agunzi said, as a result, Sagir would continue as Obadina’s surety.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sagir had applied to withdraw her suretyship on the grounds that Obadina had not kept to the conditions they agreed on.

  • EFCC arraigns Dasuki’s aide, others for N36bn fraud

    EFCC arraigns Dasuki’s aide, others for N36bn fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday arraigned Col. Nicholas Ashinze, a former Special Assistant to the embattled ex-National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, for money laundering.

    Ashinze was docked along with an Austrian, Wolfgang Reinl, and two others, Edidiong Idiong and Sagir Mohammed, in a Federal High Court, Abuja.

    A statement by EFCC’s spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said the accused were arraigned on a 13-count charge of corruption and money laundering to the tune of N36.8 billion.

    The defendants are standing trial alongside five companies accused of diverting huge sums from the office of the NSA under Dasuki.

    “The companies are Geonel Integrated Services Limited, Unity Continental Nigeria Limited, Helpline Organization, Vibrant Resource Limited and Sologic Integrated Services Limited.

    “In one of the charges, the EFCC alleges that Ashinze and Reinl, who is the Managing Director of Geonel Integrated Services Limited, transferred N550 million to Edidiong Idiong, a lawyer.

    “The transfer was made on April 22, 2014 in violation of Section 15 (2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011.”

    The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them, the statement said.

    Counsel to EFCC, I. O. Uket, expressed the commission’s readiness to immediately begin prosecution of the accused, saying that he had the witnesses present in court.

    “If the court is ready, we are also ready to produce our first witness as we have our witnesses in court,’’ he reportedly told the court.

    But Ashinze’s counsel, Ernest Nwoye, told the court that he had a pending application for the bail of his client.

    He urged the court to grant the defendant bail on self recognition having earlier been admitted to bail by an FCT High Court.

    Afam Osigwe, counsel representing the second and fifth defendants, also prayed the court to admit Reinl to bail.

    He stated that Reinl had been enjoying administrative bail from the EFCC since February, adding that his travel documents were with the commission.

    Counsel to Idiong, Paul Erokoro SAN said his client being a legal practitioner knew what it meant to jump bail.

    Erokoro stated that besides being granted bail earlier by an FCT High Court, his client had always made himself available to the EFCC.

    Similarly, counsel to Mohammed, N. Jimoh, prayed the court to grant his client bail, saying he had a health challenge which he had been managing for close to 40 years.

    Responding, Uket argued that the defendants lost their administrative bail the moment their matter was charged to court.

    Ruling on the applications, Justice Gabriel Kolawole held that the charges were all “bailable’’.

    The judge said that the case would be granted accelerated hearing and urged the prosecution to pick five days in the New Year for trial.

    Consequently, the case was adjourned till Jan. 23, Feb. 1 and Feb.14, March 7 and March 21,Uwujaren quoted the statement as saying. (NAN)