‘Malabu’: Adoke, one other regain freedom

Justice Binta Nyako on Monday granted bail to Mohammed Adoke, a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice and one other person standing trial before her court.

The bail was on the same terms and conditions earlier granted by Justice Idris Kutigi of the FCT hIGH Court, Gwagwalada.

The said had granted Adoke bail in the sum of N50 million.

As part of the bail conditions, the judge ordered Adoke to provide one surety, resident in Abuja and who must have a landed property in the Federal capital territory.

The Second Defendant, Aliyu Abubakar got the same condition with the order that their International Passports be submitted to the court and to also sign an underataking to always attend trial.

Opening their arguments, Defence lawyers, Chief Mike Ozekhome SAN and Olalekan Ojo SAN, said their clients had already met the bail conditions, urging the court to make a specific order barring the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from re-arresting them once the release order is served on the commission.

Giving her ruling on the bail application, Nyako said: “I have listened attentively to the submission of learned counsels.

“I have no condition more to add as they have earlier been granted bail and I believe they are gentlemen of honour.

She said, “I take the same conditions as the FCT high court.

The judge noted that “Even though the case filed before Justice Idris Kutigi, and the one here is different we are both courts of coordinate jurisdiction.”

She said she cannot be sitting as an appellate court over a court of coordinate jurisdiction.

On the fear that the defendants might be arrested by the EFCC, the Judge held further in her ruling:

“There would be no basis for their re-arrest or continued detention once the court’s release order is served.

Facing the Prosecution Counsel, she held further: “Please tell your principals that there should be no order above the court order,”

“But please, facing the (Defendants), comply with the bail conditions and do not do anything suspicious.

Adoke was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge bordering on bribe-taking, money laundering and breach of public office, among others.

The former AGF is standing trial alongside a businessman, Aliyu Abubakar, who was accused of paying the sum of N300 million bribe to Adoke in respect of the Malabu Oil deal.

While Adoke’s codefendant is facing only one count charge of allegedly offering bribe to the former AGF.

Adoke and his co-defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges slammed against them and Adoke’s team of lawyers, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), moved an application for the bail of the former AGF.

Leave a Reply