Court to rule on bail plea of Jonathan’s cousin
Cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Azibaola Roberts and his wife being arraigned at Federal High Court, Abuja for alleged financial fraud and diversion of $40 million by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) … yesterday PHOTO: LADIDI LUCY ELUKPO.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, will today, rule on the bail application filed by cousin to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Roberts Azibaola and his wife, Stella.
The couple are being tried over alleged payment of $40 million into their company, One Plus Holdings Nigeria Limited, by the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Azibaola was yesterday arraigned after reportedly spending 80 days in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
When the charges were read yesterday, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all.
Subsequently, the trial Judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, remanded the first defendant (Roberts) in Kuje Prison till today pending the determination of his bail application, while the court admitted the second defendant (Stella) to the administrative bail earlier granted by the EFCC.
Counsel to the first defendant, Chief Chris Uche (SAN), had urged the court to admit his client to bail on liberal terms and on the ground that the offences for which Roberts was charged were bailable.
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1 Comments
Imagine the mockery on their faces even in trial. A sign of a society with misplaced values, thinking corruption is hard work and being trial for corruption as persecution. Until we change our values, we are doomed as a nation.
We will review and take appropriate action.