A Federal High Court, Abuja, will today rule on the bail application filed by the embattled former House Speaker Dimeji Bankole.
Bankole is facing a 16-count charge of contract inflation and awards without due process slammed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Donatus Okorowo had adjourned ruling on the application till today after hearing Bankole’s counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and that of the EFCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo on Friday.
The Judge, who expressed his willingness to decide the application on time, said due to time constraints and the plethora of authority cited by parties, he needed time to give a considered ruling.
Awomolo had urged the court to admit Bankole to bail on self recognition.
He described as hearsay and speculative claims by the EFCC that the accused will jump bail if granted him.
Awomolo argued that the fear that an accused will run away or jump bail is not a reason in law for denying bail because jumping bail has its own criminal consequences.
Urging the court to discountenance the EFCC, Awomolo cited a Court of Appeal decision in Ibori Vs Federal Republic of Nigeria which overruled such claim by holding that an accused person will only jump bail at his own peril.
But Keyamo urged the court to refuse bail as the prosecution had established a prima facie case against Bankole and that many of the paragraphs in the bail applications did not meet the requirement of law in considering bail application.
Besides, he said “the world is now a global village where criminals have no hiding place”, adding that court can only act on legally admissible evidence whether orally or documentary.
Awomolo contended that certain claims in the EFCC counter-Affidavit deposed to by one Oriogun Folajinmi offended Section 76, 86, 87, 88 and 89, saying all facts except content of a document could be proven by oral evidence.
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Ex speaker to know fate on bail application today
Ex speaker to know fate on bail application today
NigerianEye
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Monday, June 13, 2011
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