Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, July 9, 2015 admitted former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, to bail.
Ohakim was arraigned on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a three-count charge bordering on money laundering.
Moving the bail application today, Ohakim’s counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, prayed the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms, adding that the charges are bailable.
However, prosecuting counsel, Festus Keyamo, urged the court to refuse the application.
After listening to both counsels, Justice Adeniyi admitted the accused person to bail in the sum of N270m (Two Hundred and Seventy Million Naira) with one surety who must be resident in Abuja. The surety, who must have landed property within Abuja, must swear to an affidavit of means. The surety is also to deposit his/her international passport with the Deputy Registrar of the court.
The case has been adjourned to October 20, 2015.
It will be recalled that Ohakim was arrested by operatives of the EFCC on Tuesday, July 7, 2015.
The former governor is being prosecuted, among other things, for making a cash payment to the tune of $2, 290,000.00(Two Million, Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand Dollars), for the purchase of a piece of land at Plot No. 1098 Cadastral Zone A04, Asokoro District, otherwise known as No.60, Kwame Nkurumah Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
