A judge of the Enugu State High Court, Justice
Benedict Agbata, on Wednesday granted unconditional bail to former
governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani.
Nnamani is standing trial on a 15-count charge of stealing N2.5bn belonging to the state.
Ruling on a bail application filed by Nnamani’s counsel Rickey Tarfa (SAN), Agbata ruled that the issue of bail was constitutional and adjourned the matter to September 26, 27 and 28, 2011.
The judge, however, noted that he was admitting the ex-governor into bail without strings attached because, “he has not for one day violated or disrespected the existing bail earlier granted him by a Federal High Court, Lagos.”
The second accused, Chief Jacob Nwatu, an Enugu-based contractor, was similarly granted bail based on the conditions attached to the Federal High Court bail granted Nnamani by Justice E. F. Olayiwola.
While granting them bail, Agbata said he was conscious of the fears expressed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Kevin Uzozie, in opposing the bail, that Nnamani is a man of abundance means that could tamper with the cause of justice if allowed bail.
He said, “To grant or refuse bail was at the discretion of the court.”
The judge said he would not, however, deviate from the ruling of the Federal High court, Lagos, which granted the accused person bail on November 6, 2007 in charge number FHC/L/09C/07.
He ruled, “I adopt the ruling of my brother Justice, E. F. Olayiwola, in granting the prayer of the applicant’s counsel to allow him stand on the existing bail that there has never been a complaint of him breaching the conditions attached to it.”
By Ozioma Ubabukoh, Enugu Courtesy Of: Punch
Nnamani is standing trial on a 15-count charge of stealing N2.5bn belonging to the state.
Ruling on a bail application filed by Nnamani’s counsel Rickey Tarfa (SAN), Agbata ruled that the issue of bail was constitutional and adjourned the matter to September 26, 27 and 28, 2011.
The judge, however, noted that he was admitting the ex-governor into bail without strings attached because, “he has not for one day violated or disrespected the existing bail earlier granted him by a Federal High Court, Lagos.”
The second accused, Chief Jacob Nwatu, an Enugu-based contractor, was similarly granted bail based on the conditions attached to the Federal High Court bail granted Nnamani by Justice E. F. Olayiwola.
While granting them bail, Agbata said he was conscious of the fears expressed by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Kevin Uzozie, in opposing the bail, that Nnamani is a man of abundance means that could tamper with the cause of justice if allowed bail.
He said, “To grant or refuse bail was at the discretion of the court.”
The judge said he would not, however, deviate from the ruling of the Federal High court, Lagos, which granted the accused person bail on November 6, 2007 in charge number FHC/L/09C/07.
He ruled, “I adopt the ruling of my brother Justice, E. F. Olayiwola, in granting the prayer of the applicant’s counsel to allow him stand on the existing bail that there has never been a complaint of him breaching the conditions attached to it.”
By Ozioma Ubabukoh, Enugu Courtesy Of: Punch
No comments:
Post a Comment