By Vivian Okejeme
Abuja
Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court Abuja, yesterday, granted bail to former Benue state Governor, Gabriel Suswam, and two others to the tune of N250 million, respectively.
The charge file marked FHC/ABJ/CR/48/2017, also have a former Commissioner for Finance under Suswam’s administration, Mr. Omadachi Oklobia, and the then Accountant, Benue state Government House Administration, Mrs. Janet Aluga, as co-defendants.
The defendants were arraigned, yesterday, by the Federal Government on a 32-count charge over an allegation of frittering a whooping N9, 781,602,453.8, part of which was meant for police reform programme, and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme.
Delivering a ruling on the bail application, the judge held that “the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants are hereby granted bail to the tune of N250 million each, and one surety each in like sum.”
The sureties must be a Director or Principal Officer not less than level 12 in local, state or federal establishment.
Justice Kolawole ordered that persons with national honour shall suffice in a situation whereby the defendant fails to get a high ranking civil service.
The court also ordered the defendants to surrender their international diplomatic passports to the Deputy Registrar Litigation, and in the event the passports are in custody of the Federal High Court, such shall be verified by the DCR.
Justice Kolawole added that the sureties must swear an affidavit of means in signing the bail bond, as well as produce recent passport photographs.
“Fulfilment of these bail conditions shall be verified by the DCR, and if the defendants fail to meet up with the conditions today, the defendants shall be remanded in Kuje prison.”
Trial has been fixed for October 10, 17, and 19.
