JUSTICE J. O. Abdul Malik of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Thursday, July 6, granted bail to Jumoke Akinjide,former Minister of FCT, Jumoke Akinjide, who is standing trial over N650million allegedly collected during the 2015 general election.

Also granted bail by the judge are Senator Ayo Ademola Adeseun and Olanrewaju Otiti, both chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The defendants are being prosecuted on an amended 12-count charge bordering on money laundering.

Akinjide’s counsel reminded the court on Thursday about his defendants’ pending bail application, urging the court to grant based on their self recognition.

He told the court that they were at a stage of settlement with the EFCC.

Idris Abdullahi Mohammed, counsel to EFCC, did not oppose the bail application while confirming the move to settle the case.

Michael F. Lana, representing Adeseun counsel, also prayed the court to grant his client bail on self recognition, stating that he had served the society in different capacities as a Local Government Chairman in Oyo State, member of the House of Representatives and a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

But EFCC counsel disagreed arguing that “Adeseun is not a man of his words. After he was released on administrative bail by the EFCC, he refused to appear before the court to take his plea until he was rearrested and brought before this honourable court today”.

He also did not oppose Otiti’s application when his counsel, Adeniyi Ishola, urged the court to admit him to bail on liberal terms.

Justice Malik admitted Akinjide to bail on self recognition, while bail was granted to Adeseun and Otiti in the sum of N100million each with one each surety in like sum. The sureties must have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and must be directors in the public or civil service.

“All the defendants shall deposit their international passports with the Chief Registrar of the court. The 2nd and 3rd defendants are to be remanded in the EFCC custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions”, the judge added.

The case was adjourned to September 12.

– July 7, 2017 @ 4:32 GMT /