Abbas
allegedly conspired with Sufyanu to obtain money from one Dr. Modibbo Ahmed.
While posing as EFCC operatives, they told him that he had a case with the
EFCC, but that they could help him “kill” the case, if he “played ball”. He
alleged that he was threatened that the operatives were coming to raid his house,
if he did not agree to "settle" them.
Ahmed,
suspecting foul play, petitioned the EFCC. The anti-graft agency swung into
action, and after a sting operation, nabbed the two impostors.
One
of the counts reads: "That you Mohammed Sufyanu, Abbas Attahiru (a.k.a
Ahamed) and one Alloy (now at large) on or about April 2, 2016 in Abuja within
the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, pretended to be officers of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and in such assumed character
and under the colour of such office presented yourselves to one Dr. Ahmed
Modibbo and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 132 of the
Penal Code."
The
defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, when they were read to
them.
In
view of their plea, prosecution counsel, Dalyop E. Vou, asked for a date for
commencement of trial.
Defence
counsel, A. I. Mohammed, however, made an oral application for bail pursuant to
Section 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, and Section 158 and
162 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015. He told the court
that the defendants have undertaken not to commit another offence and will not
evade trial.
Vou
did not object the bail application.
Justice
Oriji granted them bail in the sum of N2 million each with one surety in like
sum. The sureties must be resident in Abuja, and must be civil servants of grade
level 10 and above. The trial judged added that the prosecution, the
investigating police officer, and the court registrar must verify the status of
the sureties, who must swear to an affidavit of means.
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