Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted a N250 million bail to former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman, former Finance Minister; and one Danjuma Yusuf all of who are standing trial for alleged involvement in the expenditure of campaign funds for the opposition PDP during the 2015 general elections..
Justice Hassan said that each of the defendants must provide two sureties who must be owners of landed properties within the court’s jurisdiction. The sureties are also to deposit their international passports with the court.
This was as the case was adjourned to October 19, 20, and 21, for trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had last Tuesday, arraigned the trio alongside Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited before Justice Hassan on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, corruption and making cash payments exceeding the amount authorized by law.
They were accused of diverting about N4.9 billion belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria for political and personal uses to which they pleaded not guilty.
Their counsels, Ferdinand Orbih, Ifedayo Adedipe and S. I. Ameh, moved the motion for their bail after they had filed separate applications in which they prayed the court to release their clients on bail. The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, however pleaded for time to respond to the applications.
In granting the bail application, Justice Hassan ruled that the sureties and their assets must be verified by the anti-graft commission. As at press time, the trio were making frantic arrangements to meet the bail conditions. [myad]
