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Court grants Peace Corps’ boss bail in alleged N1.4 billion fraud

By Bridget Chiedu Onochie, Abuja
30 March 2017   |   4:42 am
A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted bail to the National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr. Dickson Akor. The Federal Government is prosecuting Akor and the incorporated trustees of the organisation on a 90-count criminal charge.

The National Commandant, Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC), Dr Dickson Akoh

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday granted bail to the National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr. Dickson Akor. The Federal Government is prosecuting Akor and the incorporated trustees of the organisation on a 90-count criminal charge.

The charges are based on alleged conversion of monies directly derived from “extortion” up to the tune of N1.4billion. At the arraignment, Akor pleaded not guilty to the charges as his counsel, John Ochogwu, argued for his bail, which the prosecution’s counsel, Aminu Alilu opposed.

Giving his ruling, Justice John Tsoho, said despite that the charges were very loaded, none of them was beyond being a bailable offence. He said: “After due consideration accorded to the counsel, the court is inclined to grant the bail to the applicant because the alleged offences are not capital in nature.”

The judge added that the submission of the complainant that the applicant might interfere with police investigation “is speculative and mere apprehension.” Tsoho added that the prosecution did not depose to any affidavit to show that Akor jumped bail while he was on administrative bail.

He further held that the respondent has not shown enough reasons why Akor should not be granted bail. He therefore granted him bail with one surety in the sum of N20million.

As part of the conditions, the surety must be resident in Abuja and be an owner of a landed property. Also, he must tender photocopies of title deeds of the property to the court’s deputy chief registrar, in charge of litigation.

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