N500m fraud: Court returns Ondo PDP chairman, Jonathan's campaign director to prison

Both Clement and Adetokunbo, were arraigned before Justice Saliu Saidu, of the same court, on June 29, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over alleged N500 million fraud. Justice Saidu, had on June 29, after their arraignment, ordered that they should be remanded in prison, pending their trial, which is slated for September 19. However, after hearing of their bail application today, Justice Hassan, ordered that they should be returned to prison custody pending July 19, when their bail application will be decided on. Arguing their motion for bail, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), said its essence is to secure their temporary release from detention pending their trial. He also urged the court not to subject the defendants’ bail to any verification by the prosecution. “My Lord, the essence of this motion is to seek the temporary release of the defendants pending trial. They were given administrative bail by the EFCC during investigation and they never jumped bail. I urged the court not to grant bail on excessive conditions but on liberal terms and possibly on self-recognizance. “In the event that the court is inclined to grant the bail, it should not be subjected to any verification by the prosecution as this may be a cog wheel to the speedy administration of bail to the defendants”, Eyitayo, stated. Responding, EFCC’s lawyer, Ekene Iheanacho, urged the court to dismiss the motion. He argued that the depositions in support of the motion were in violation of the law. “The quality and quantity of evidence as shown in the proof of evidence positively linked the defendants to the alleged offence. Besides, the offences for which the defendants are standing trial are serious felonies and becoming rampant. “The defendants were granted administrative bail during investigation so as not to breach their fundamental human rights but this was revoked prior to their arraignment”, he said. After listening to the submissions of parties, Justice Hassan reserved ruling on the motion till July 19. ]]>