The Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State has granted former Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, bail after five days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for financial misappropriation while in office between 2011 and 2019.
Abdulfatah is being prosecuted by the EFCC for alleged embezzlement of N10b project fund.
The Guardian learnt that the former governor, who drove himself to the EFCC, Ilorin zonal office, last Monday, was detained under stringent bail conditions.
However, Justice Evelyn Anyadike, yesterday, gave eight bail conditions for the former governor’s release though he should be remanded in the EFCC custody until the bail conditions are met.
She also ruled that the case be given accelerated hearing.
The bail conditions are: N50m in bond, two sureties with landed properties in Ilorin and submission of his international passport to the court registrar among others.
Fielding questions from newsmen, EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), who disclosed that the first defendant was standing trial for 12-count charges, said: “The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.”
The defendant’s counsel, Kehinde Eleja (SAN) while lamenting the poor treatment of his client said Abdulfatah’s prosecution is at the discretion of the court.
