Mustapha and Sarah |
A Federal Capital Territory High Court,
presided by Justice Abubakar Sadiq Umar Thursday, February 28, 2013 granted
bail to Mustapha Audu, son of former governor of Kogi state, Prince Abubakar
Audu who is standing trial alongside his wife, Zahra Audu and their company, Constructor Guild
Limited over an N18 million land scam.
The couple who were arraigned on Tuesday 26 February, 2013 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC were
alleged to have falsely obtained the sum of N18 million from one Nike kolawole
under the pretence that they will get her a four- bedroom house at Katampe
Extension, Abuja; and another property at Caemly Estate, Idu Sabo, Federal
Capital Territory, Abuja.
Counsel to the accused, Okechuku Ajunwa
prayed the court to grant the first accused person bail since his alleged
offence he is bail-able.
However, the prosecuting counsel, Samuel
Ugwuegbulam opposed the bail application. He said though the offence for which
the accused was charged is bail-able, it nonetheless carries a sentence
of not less seven years which could be a motivation to jump bail.
“I urge this honourable court to fix a
short date for trial so that the case will be heard and justice be served in
the shortest possible time. EFCC has only three witnesses to present which can
all be heard the same day.” He said.
The presiding judge having heard the
arguments of counsel, granted the accused bail in the sum of N5million (five
million naira) with two sureties in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must be
resident within the jurisdiction of the court and one of them must be a federal
civil servant not below the rank of level 10.
Mustapha Audu’s wife, Zahra was on the day
of her arraignment magnanimously allowed by the judge to enjoy the
administrative bail granted her by the EFCC owing to her status as a nursing
mother.
Trial date has been set for 15th
April, 2013.
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