Stories by Vivian Okejeme Abuja
Justice Gabriel Kolawole of an Abuja Federal High Court has granted bail to one Musa Umar, who is standing trial alongside Mohammed Yunus, a lecturer at the Kogi State University and Abdullahi Salami over allegations of having link with the terrorist group, Boko Haram. Th e other two defendants had earlier been granted bail by the trial judge. At the resumption of trial, the defence counsel, A Adewunmi, told the court of the application by the third defendant, seeking for bail on health grounds.
Th e prosecution, however, did not oppose the bail on the grounds that it is only someone who is alive that would be able to stand trial. In view of the prosecution’s disposition, the court granted the defendant bail with two sureties with a bail bond of N10million each, one of which must be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14, and the other must be owner of landed property within Abuja worth not less than N50million and must possess a three-year tax clearance certifi cate.
Th e matter was adjourned to September 28, October 10, 12, 18 and 24, 2017 at 11 for continuation of the trial within trial. Th e Federal Government had arraigned the defendants on an eight-count criminal charge, on off ences committed between May and October 2013 contravening the Terrorism Act. According to the charge sheet, the suspects are standing trial for being in possession of two AK47 rifl es, two magazines and 60 rounds of ammunitions which were buried with the intention of harming and intimidating Kogi state, organising meetings and recruiting members for the proscribed Boko Haram sect and also using various properties in their possession for the propagation of the activities of the proscribed sect including “directly or indirectly” in possession of funds meant for activities of the sect.
