Justice Jadesola Adeyemi-Ajayi of the Federal Capital Territory, High Court Abuja Nigeria, is to give ruling on the bail application of suspended Nigeria’s accountant General, Ahmed Idris and two others following their arraignment by the country’s Anti-graft Agency the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on 28th July 2022.
Justice Ajayi made this known after listening to arguments of both prosecution and defense Counsels.
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The former Accountant-General alongside Godfrey Olusegun Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited were arraigned by the EFCC on 22nd July on a 14 count charge of stealing and criminal breach of trust to the tune of N109, 485,572,691.9.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, counsel to the first defendant Chief Chris Uche SAN, moved a motion on notice praying for the order of court to grant the former Accountant-General bail.
He argued that the charges are bailable offences adding that they are not capital offences.
He told the court that, his client never abused any court process and has the necessary surety to stand for him, urging the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.
Also, counsel to the second defendant Mr. Peter Abalaka prayed the court to grant his client bail pending the conclusion of the trial.
He said the counter affidavit of the prosecution dwelled on sentiments and prejudices which do not have a place in the trial, urging the court to consider the bail application adding that his client is obedient and will not disobey court orders.
The counsel to the third defendant Mr. Mohammed Ndayako argued that the entire offence is bailable, urging the court to do the needful and grant his client bail.
In his arguments, the prosecution counsel Mr. Rotimi Jacobs SAN told the court that, the former Accountant-General and others have committed a criminal breach of trust which is a serious offence that should not be granted bail.
He drew the attention of the court to consider the nature, gravity and the weight of the charges as they are sufficient enough to be refused bail.
He argued that, the case is a public office offence which is equal to terrorism and genocide and should be handled with all seriousness adding that he is ready for the commencement of the trial.
Justice Adeyemi Ajayi after listening to their arguments, adjourned to 28 July for ruling on the bail application and to fix date for the commencement of the substantive suit.
Recalled that the EFCC had alleged among other things, that “Ahmed Idris between February and December, 2021 at Abuja, being a public servant by virtue of his position as the Accountant General of the Federation accepted from Olusegun Akindele, a gratification in the aggregate sum of Fifteen Billion, One Hundred and Thirty Six Million, Two Hundred and Twenty One Thousand, Nine Hundred and Twenty One Naira and Forty Six Kobo, which sum was converted to the United States Dollars by the said Olusegun Akindele.
“The sum did not form part of your lawful remuneration but as a motive for accelerating the payment of 13% derivation to the nine oil producing Sates in the Federation, through the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 155 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990 and punishable under the same section.”
