Bode George To Remain In Kirikiri; As Court Adjourns Bail Application
October 30, 2009 15:20 (4 hours ago), 594 views

Convicted former Board Chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Olabode George and five other persons will remain in Kikiri Prisons till 9 November this year when their bail appliction will come up for hearing.

Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Ikeja High Court, this morning fixed 9 November for hearing on the bail application filed by George’s counsel.

George and five co-convicts filed the bail application before the court urging the judge to grant them bail, pending the hearing of their appeal now before the Court of Appeal.

Part of the grounds cited by George for the bail application are that: he is hypertensive, has arthritis, and that his appeal, which might take more than two and a half years, might be prejudiced.

The other five convicts are also asking for bail on several circumstances bordering mostly on their health.

The six convicts were not however in court. Only Bode George’s wife, Roli, and few family members were present.

The court adjourned till 9 November for hearing, to enable all parties in the matter exchange court processes.

George and five other persons accused along with him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegation of N85 billion fraud at the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, were sentenced to two-and-half years imprisonment without an option of fine last Monday.

He was convicted by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Ikeja High Court.

George was specifically convicted on 35 out of the 68-count charge which border on contract splitting, inflation, abuse of office and disobedience to lawful order.

Justice Oyewole sentenced all the six accused persons to two years each on seven counts of abuse of office and another six months for 28 charges bordering on disobedience of lawful order.

The judge held that all the accused persons were guilty of splitting numerous contracts as members of NPA board from 2001 to 2003.

http://thepmnews.com/2009/10/30/bode-george-to-remain-in-kirikiri-as-court-adjourns-bail-application