Court grants Justice Ademola, wife N50m bail, fixes trial for January 2017

The trial of Justice Adeniyi Ademola and his wife, Olabukola, who is Head of Civil Service of Lagos State, has been fixed for January 18, 2016. The couple was yesterday granted bail in the sum of N50 million.

The defendants were arraigned on an 11-count charge bordering on receipt of gratification, illegal possession of firearms, amongst others.

While the court granted the defendants the bail on the ground of self-recognition and societal stand, they were required to deposit their international passports and travel documents with the assistant court registrar pending the determination of the case.

Though counsel to the first defendant, Onyinyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), had in the affidavit attached to a motion in notice, averred that the first defendant need not deposit his international passport and travel documents as condition for bail, the court however, ordered that the defendants be granted leave for seven days to deposit their passports.

While he implored the judge not to impose any condition in excess of the conditions stated by the complainant, he urged the court to exercise its discretion with the support of Section 165 (1) and Section 167 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Counsel to the second defendant, Robert Clarke (SAN) asked for consideration of Olabukola’s position as Head of Service of Lagos State and her disposition to travel on both domestic and international capacity in fulfillment of her official duties.

Presiding Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the FCT, while giving his ruling, granted the defendants bail but agreed with the prosecution on their depositing international passports and travel documents.

He also held that in the case where any of the defendants is necessitated to use their international passports in an urgent need or medical emergency where required, the counsel to the defendant could apply to the court for the use of the travel documents.