Seven suspects facing trial over the alleged kidnap of Pa Michael Obi, father of Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, were granted bail by a Federal High Court in Jos on Wednesday.


The suspects, Sule Ibrahim, Ndubuisi Friday, Basil Chukuma, Ifeanyi Hycinth, Jacob Zakari, Jaduwa Thlama and Victor Essien, were granted bail for N10m each with a surety each in like sum.


Presiding judge, Ambrose Allagoah, ordered that the sureties must show evidence of landed property within Jos metropolis.


He added that the addresses of such persons must also be verified by the court's registry.


Allagoah said, “Each surety must also swear to an affidavit of means and must submit two passport photograph as part of the bail conditions.”


Counsel for the accused persons, Mr. T. Pankyes, while pleading for their release on bail, argued that the offence was a bailable one.


Pankyes noted that the accused had been in detention for more than five months, arguing that it would serve the cause of justice if they were released on bail.


The prosecution counsel, Mr Ambrose Egoh, however, objected to the bail application on the premise that the offence was “very serious” and “rampant” in the country.


Egoh said, “My Lord, the suspects are likely to escape justice if granted bail. It will be in the interest of justice to refuse the applicants bail.


“It will not be prejudice if the application is refused.”

http://odili.net/news/source/2012/feb/9/800.html

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