A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday
granted bail to each of former President Goodluck
Jonathan’s cousin, Roberts Azibaola, and his
(Azibaola’s) wife, Stella, in the sum of N500m each.
Justice Nnamdi Dimgba ordered in a ruling that
each of the accused person’s bail was to be
guaranteed by a surety each.
The judge had on Tuesday ordered the remand of
the accused persons in prison shortly after the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
arraigned them along with their company, One Plus
Holding Limited.
The accused pleaded not guilty when the seven
counts of money laundering, criminal breach of trust
and corruption were read to them on Wednesday.
They were accused of diverting $40m purportedly
meant for the supply of tactical communication kits
for Special Forces.
The money was allegedly transferred from the
account of the Office of the National Security
Adviser with the Central Bank of Nigeria to the
domiciliary account of their company, One Plus
Holdings.
The offence is said to be in contravention of Section
8(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011
as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section
15 (3) of the same Act.
In his ruling on the bail application by the
defendants on Wednesday, Justice Dimgba noted
that the intention of Administration of Criminal
Justice Act 2015 was for court to grant bail without
attaching excessive conditions.
He ruled, “All things considered, I grant the
defendants bail on the following terms:
“The defendants are admitted to bail in the sum of
N500m each.
“Two sureties in like sum which shall in turn enter a
bail bond of the sum of N500m.
”The sureties must each be owners of property in
Asokoro or Maitama District of Abuja.”
He held that the sureties must show evidence of
payment of their income tax.
The judge ordered the defendants to be remanded in
prison custody pending the fulfilment of their bail
conditions.
The judge granted accelerated hearing of the case
and adjourned till June 28 for commencement of
trial.
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