A Federal High Court sitting in Katsina, on Friday
granted the former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema bail on
self-recognition.
Shema was governor of the state from 2007 to 2015.
He is standing trial before the court on 26 count charge
bordering on money laundering, amounting to N5.7 billion SURE-P
funds during his tenure.
The counsel to the defendant, Joseph Daudu, SAN, filed a bail
application of the defendant under section 35 of the constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
He also told the court that the defendant relied on sections
158, 162 and 165 sub (1) of the Criminal Administration Justice Act
(ACJA) to solicit for the bail.
Mr Daudu said that the defendant is presumed to be innocent
until the determination of the case by the court.
He also drew attention to the fact that the defendant was a
former governor of Katsina State for two terms and therefore has
right to bail and would not breach the bail conditions if
granted.
He urged the court to grant the bail application, as the
defendant was ready to comply with the terms and conditions of the
court.
The prosecution counsel, J.O Olatoke, SAN, objecting to the bail
application, said that there are intelligent reports that the
defendant might jump bail if granted to him.
He said that Shema had already applied to a Federal High Court,
Abuja, seeking for the release of his international passport, which
is in the complainant custody (EFCC).
Mr Olatoke urged the court to refuse the bail application.
In his ruling on the matter, the judge, Justice Babagana
Ashigar, granted the bail to the defendant on self-recognition.
Mr Ashigar also said that bail was based on the conditions
stipulated in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act
(ACJA).
‘’The court considered section 35 of the constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria and sections 162, 163 and 158 of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act to grant the bail,’’ he
said.
He, however directed the defendant to deposit his international
passport at the court registry, if in possession of it.
He adjourned the case to June 12 for further hearing on the
matter and for the defendant to comply with the conditions.
Shema is also standing trial before Katsina State High Court for
allegedly misappropriating N11 billion belonging to the State/Local
Government Joint Account during his tenure.
(NAN)
A Federal High Court sitting in Katsina, on Friday
granted the former governor of Katsina State, Ibrahim Shema bail on
self-recognition.
Shema was governor of the state from 2007 to 2015.
He is standing trial before the court on 26 count charge
bordering on money laundering, amounting to N5.7 billion SURE-P
funds during his tenure.
The counsel to the defendant, Joseph Daudu, SAN, filed a bail
application of the defendant under section 35 of the constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
He also told the court that the defendant relied on sections
158, 162 and 165 sub (1) of the Criminal Administration Justice Act
(ACJA) to solicit for the bail.
Mr Daudu said that the defendant is presumed to be innocent
until the determination of the case by the court.
He also drew attention to the fact that the defendant was a
former governor of Katsina State for two terms and therefore has
right to bail and would not breach the bail conditions if
granted.
He urged the court to grant the bail application, as the
defendant was ready to comply with the terms and conditions of the
court.
The prosecution counsel, J.O Olatoke, SAN, objecting to the bail
application, said that there are intelligent reports that the
defendant might jump bail if granted to him.
He said that Shema had already applied to a Federal High Court,
Abuja, seeking for the release of his international passport, which
is in the complainant custody (EFCC).
Mr Olatoke urged the court to refuse the bail application.
In his ruling on the matter, the judge, Justice Babagana
Ashigar, granted the bail to the defendant on self-recognition.
Mr Ashigar also said that bail was based on the conditions
stipulated in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act
(ACJA).
‘’The court considered section 35 of the constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria and sections 162, 163 and 158 of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act to grant the bail,’’ he
said.
He, however directed the defendant to deposit his international
passport at the court registry, if in possession of it.
He adjourned the case to June 12 for further hearing on the
matter and for the defendant to comply with the conditions.
Shema is also standing trial before Katsina State High Court for
allegedly misappropriating N11 billion belonging to the State/Local
Government Joint Account during his tenure.
(NAN)
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