Justice Yusuf Halilu of a FCT High Court FCT on Monday admitted a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele to bail in the sum of N2 billion in a fresh charge of property fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an eight-count charge against him in respect of the disputed 753 duplexes in Abuja.
The said property located at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09, Lokogoma District, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, measures 150,462.86 SQM and comprises 753 housing units.
When the charge was read to him, he however, pleaded not guilty.
Following his plea, his counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, applied for bail which was not opposed to by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Oyedepo however, asked the court to expunge some paragraphs in the bail application , and the court granted that.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Halilu held that bail is a constitutional right.
He added that the defendant (Emefiele) has been granted bail by two other judges and he did not go against the conditions and terms.
“I admit the defendant to bail on the terms and conditions that the defendant’s travel documents which is already before justice Muazu is hereby attached as part of the condition.
“The defendant shall provide two sureties who must be residents of Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court.
“The sureties must own landed property within the jurisdiction of this court precisely in Asokoro, Maitama and Wuse 2 which valued at N2 billion,” he held.
Halilu further ordered that the sureties shall also do undertaking to produce the defendant in court always all through his trial .
He added in the event the defendant jumps bail, they (sureties) will be put in prison.
He ordered that the defendant is granted from now to Wed (June 18) to vacate the ball or else risk going to prison.
He then adjourned the case until July 11.