Court grants Amosu, Adigun, Olugbenga N1.5 billion bail

A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted a N500m bail to the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Adesola Amosu (rtd) and 10 others arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N22.8billion fraud.

Amosu was arraigned by the anti-graft agency alongside Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga and eight companies before Justice Mohammed Idris.

The companies are Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited and Trapezites BDC Fonds and Pricey Limited. Others are Deegee Oil and Gas Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care Limited.

They were charged with 26 counts of stealing, concealing the proceeds of crime and conversion of funds belonging to the Nigerian Airforce.

After the charges were read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty.

Counsel to the 1st and 11th defendants, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) informed the court of his motion for bail and sought the leave of court to move same and was granted.

Arguing for bail, Ayorinde said his client had been cooperating fully with EFCC since his arrest in January 2016. “He has remitted colossal sums of money to the Federal Government, although not in admittance of guilt, but out of cooperation with security agencies.

“My application is that bail be granted to the 1st defendant on self-recognition. Let those terms be liberal. He has been reporting to the EFCC, sometimes twice a week. The 1st defendant will make himself available for trial”, he stated.

Also, Mr. Norrison Quakers (SAN), leading Mr. Kemi Balogun (SAN) and other lawyers for 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants urged the court to grant the only human being among their clients bail on liberal terms because he as health challenge. “The Commission is aware of it. My humble application is that your lordship grant bail on liberal terms. Incidentally, the 2nd defendant is on administrative bail by the Commission. He will be available for trial”, he submitted.

Counsel to the 3rd, 9th and 10th defendants, Mr. A Etuokwu also urged the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms, adding that he is still a serving military officer.

Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo did not oppose the bail applications but urged the court to give stringent conditions that would secure the defendants attendance to court.