EFCC Arrests another PDP Presidential Aspirant, Gov Ibrahim Shekarau, Court Grants Bail

Amb. Friday Bako
Viewpoint Nigeria
24th May, 2018

Report reaching Viewpoint Nigeria has it that His Excellency, Alh. Ibrahim Shekarau and two others, Bashir Wali and Mansur Ahmad who were arrested and arraigned in Court today has been granted bail.

The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has granted bail to former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau , arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over alleged money laundering.

Shekarau, together with Bashir Wali and Mansur Ahmad, are facing six counts bordering on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N950m
Counsel to the EFCC, Mr . Johnson Ojoghame , told the court that the defendants had , between March 26 and 27 , 2015 in Kano , conspired between themselves and received various sums of money without going through financial institutions.

He told the court that the money was issued out to the defendants by the Peoples Democratic Party and former petroleum minister , Diezani Allison -Madueke.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Section 18 ( a) of the Money Laundering ( prohibition) Act 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 16 ( 2 ) ( b ) of the same Act and Section 15 ( 1 ) of money laundering Act.

The trio had pleaded not guilty to the charges .
Their counsel , Mr . Ologunolisa Sam ( SAN ) made a written bail application in respect of the defendants under Section 163 of the Criminal Justice Act 2015.
He said : “The defendants were, early in May 2016 , invited by EFCC and at no time were they found wanting when they were granted bail.
“If granted bail , the defendants would not jump bail , nor commit any offence and would not tamper with Police investigation.’’
The Judge , Justice Zainab Abubakar -Bage , granted the defendants bail in the sum of N 100 m each with two reliable sureties in like sum .
She said that the first surety should have landed property within the jurisdiction of the court while the second surety should not be below the rank of a director.

The judge ordered the defendants to surrender their International passport and two recent passport size photographs to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.

The case has been adjourned until June 26 , for trial.

Meanwhile, it was reported that police operatives had to release teargas and fire warning shots into the air to ward off the crowd of supporters of the three defendants that thronged the court premises.

Viewpoint Nigeria’s Analysis;

This arrest is similar to that of Sen. Jonah Jang who was bailed today having spent some weeks both at EFCC detention facilities and Jos Prisons as well as that of Former Governor Jigsawa State, Dr. Sule Lamido who have all declared intention to contest the Presidency under the platform of the PDP.

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EFCC Arrests another PDP Presidential Aspirant, Gov Ibrahim Shekarau, Court Grants him Bail