Justice U.P. Kekemeke of the High Court
of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Monday, May 16, 2016, granted bail
in the sum of N500 million ( Five Hundred Million Naira) to AVM
Saliu Atawodi (retd.), a former chairman, Presidential Implementation Committee
on Maritime Safety, PICOMSS, and one Rabiu Hassan, owner of Hypertech Company.
The duo were arraigned by the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on May 11, 2016 for allegedly defrauding
the government to the tune of over N600m (Six Hundred Million Naira) through
suspicious contracts to procure military boats.
One of the counts reads: "That you,
AVM Saliu Atawodi (retd.), whilst serving as the chairman of the Presidential
Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS), Rabiu
Hassan and Hypertech (Nig) Limited on or about the 28th day of November, 2011
in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to
defraud did conspire to obtain property by false pretence the sum of Six
Hundred and Twenty Million Nine Hundred and Ten Thousand Naira
(N620,910,000.00) , property of the Federal Government under the pretence that
the money represents payment for the supply of six pieces of K-38 armoured
patrol boats to Presidential Implementation Committee on Maritime Safety and
Security (PICOMSS) and which pretence you knew was false."
While ruling on the bail applications
by counsels to the defendants, Karina Tunyan, SAN, and Shareef Mohammed
respectively, Justice Kekemeke, who cited Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution
and Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), held that
the defendants were entitled to bail.
The accused persons were granted bail
in the sum of N500 million (Five Hundred Million Naira) and two sureties each in like sum. The
sureties must be serving directors or deputy directors who have landed
properties within the jurisdiction of the court; alternatively, the sureties
must be guarantors of right of occupancy and must swear to an affidavit of
means.
The case has been adjourned to June 6,
7 and 8, 2016 for commencement of trial.
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