Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Ikeja High Court, this morning refused to grant bail to convicted former Board Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Bode George and the other five convict.

George had, following his appeal at the Court of Appeal against the judgement by the court, applied for bail pending his appeal.

Parts of the grounds for his application for bail were that he is hypertensive and that, considering the duration it takes for appeal to be decided at the Court of Appeal, he would have served the term of punishment before the case will be decided.

Arguing the motion this morning, his lawyer, Mr. Tunji Ayanlaja and a team of five Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) urged the court to grant him bail.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Festus Keyamo, however urged the court to refuse the bail on the ground that George and the other convicts have not shown enough reasons why they should be granted bail.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Oyewole held that Bode and the other convicts failed to prove to the court that they were in a situation warranting bail, by properly bringing a medical report signed by an expert in the field of ailment.

He subsequently turned down their bail application and disregarded other grounds raised by the applicants.

Justice Oyewole said: “There are not enough grounds for granting bail.”

Justice Olubunmi Oyewole sitting at an Ikeja High Court convicted George and five others charged along with him on Monday, 26 October, 2009 for N85 billion fraud involving contract inflation, contract splitting, abuse of office and disobedience to constituted authority.

George was chairman, Board of Directors of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) from 2001 to 2003 when the fraud was perpetrated.

The other co-convicts who were members of the Board are: Arc Aminu Dabo, the then Managing Director of NPA, Captain O. Abidoye, Alhaji Abdullahi Aminu Tafida, Alhaji Zauna Maidaribe and Engr. Sule Aliyu.

The six convicts were facing a 163-count charge of fraud slammed on them by the EFCC.

The charges were later harmonised and reduced to 68 out of which George and the five others were found guilty of 35 charges.

They were sentenced to a total of 28 years imprisonment. But because the sentences will run concurrently, they will spend two and a half years in jail.

The convicts were moved to Kirikiri prisons immediately after the verdict.

The counsel to George filed the application for bail on Wednesday, 28 October, 2009.

The bail application came up for hearing on Friday, 30 October, which was adjourned till today.


http://thepmnews.com/2009/11/09/court-denies-bode-george-bail

This is FANTASTIC news.
Let them make their appeal 4rm Kirikiri.
Bìg Ups to the Judge again.

fantastic news

Good for Boy George and what is EFCC doing about these cases below?

NAME. TRIAL COURT. CASE STATUS. AMOUNT INVOLVED. STATUS OF SUSPECT (S). REMARK

1. Ayo Fayose (Former Governor of Ekiti State) Fed. High Court, Lagos Arraigned on 51 state counts. Plea already taken but defence lawyer keeps filing frivolous applications for long adjournments to frustrate and prolong trial. N1.2 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2007 – Inherited. Case filed since 17th Dec.2007.

2. Prof. Adenike Grange (Former Minister of Health) FCT. High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 56 state counts. Plea already taken. Defence lawyer often seeks long adjournments to prolong trial. Matter adjourned to Oct 27. N300 million. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Inherited. Case filed since 2nd April.2008 .

3. Joshua Dariye(Former Governor Plateau State) FCT High Cou, Gudu. Arraigned on 14 state counts. Plea already taken but defence lawyer challenged court jurisdiction. Case stalled at HC while on appeal for stay of trial. This is part of calculated attempt to prolong trial N700 Million. Granted bail by court since 2007 – Inherited. Case filed since13th July 2007 .

4. Saminu Turaki (Former Governor, Jigagwa State) FCT High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 32 state counts. Plea already taken but defence lawyer challenged court jurisdiction. Case stalled at HC while seeking stay of trial at appeal court. It is part of usual attempt to frustrate and prolong trial. N36 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2007 – Inherited. Case filed since13th July 2007 .

5. Orji Uzor Kalu (Former Governor, Abia State) Fed. High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 107 state counts. Plea already taken but defence lawyer raised preliminary objection against charges. Lost at trial court but has gone on appeal to stay trial. It is part of usual attempt to prolong trial. Further hearing for Nov 3. N5 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Inherited. Case filed since11th June 2007 .

6. James Ibori (Former Governor, Delta State) Federal High Court, Asaba. Arraigned on 170 state counts. Defence lawyer challenged Kaduna Fed. Court jurisdiction, lost at trial court but won at appeal court. Case re-assigned by CJ to Asaba FHC. Without taking plea, suspect applied to quash charges, prosecution opposed application and ruling for Nov 2009. N9.2 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Inherited. Fresh charges filed In August 2009 .

7. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello (Serving Senator) FCT High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 56 state counts. Plea already taken but case stalled as defence lawyer filed to challenge charges. Application pending for determination. This is part of frivolous applications to delay trial. N10 Million. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Inherited. Case filed since April 2 2008 .

8. Lucky Igbinedion (Former Governor of Edo State) Fed. High Court, Enugu. Arraigned on 191 state counts. Applied for plea bargain &Convicted but EFCC has appealed the judgment to seek for stiffer sanctions. N4.3 Billion. Case determined 2008 – Inherited. Case filed on 23rd Jan.2008 .

9. Gabriel Aduku (Former Minister of Health) FCT. High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 56 state counts. Court judgment on no case against suspect under review by EFCC. N300 Million. Case determined in 2008 – Inherited. Case filed on April 2nd 2008.

10. Jolly Nyame (Former Governor of Taraba State) Fed. High Court, Abuja. Arraigned on 21 state counts. Plea already taken but case is stalled as defence lawyer challenged court jurisdiction. Lost at HC,Appeal court, now before Supreme Court. This is a typical example of frivolous appeals to buy time and prolong trial. N180 Million. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Inherited. Case filed since13th July 2007 .

11. Chimaroke Nnamani (Former Governor of Enugu State) Fed. High Court, Lagos. Arraigned on 105 state counts. Plea already taken but case is stalled as defence lawyer filed to transfer case to another judge on allegation bias against trial judge even as counsel has again filed to challenge court jurisdiction. This is equally an attempt to prolong trial. Case comes up Oct.22. N5.3 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2007 – Inherited. Case filed since11th Dec.2007 .

12 Michael Botmang(Former Governor of Plateau State) Fed. High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 31 state counts. Plea already taken but trial stalled due to suspect’s ailment, on dialysis. Trial billed to resume October 16. N1.5 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Commenced by Waziri on 18th July 2008 .

13. Roland Iyayi (Former Managing Director of FAAN) FCT High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 11 state counts. Plea already taken. Trial on-going Court taking prosecution witnesses’ testimony. N5.6 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Commenced by Waziri in June 2008.

14. Nyeson Wike (Serving Chief of Staff to Governor of Rivers State) FCT High Court Maitama. Arraigned on state counts. Court quashed charges. EFCC already appealed judgement. Appeal pending at appeal court. N4.670 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Commenced by Waziri on Oct.9 2008 .

15. Eider George (Austrian Business man) FCT High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 11 state counts. Plea already taken and trial on-going. Prosecution witnesses undergoing cross examination. Continuation of trial fixed for Nov.17. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Commenced by Waziri in June2008 .

16. Kenny Martins (Police Equipment Fund) FCT High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 28 amended state counts. Plea already taken and trial on-going. Witnesses under cross-examination. Continuation of trial fixed for Nov 9. N7,740 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Commenced by Waziri in June 2008 .

17. 13 (Thirteen) Filipinos (Charged for Oil Bunkering) Fed. High Court, Benin. Arraigned on state counts, convicted at the close of trial and sentenced to 65 Years altogether . N300 Million. EFCC returns to court to seek forfeiture of vessel used for oil theft Oct 23 slated for adoption of written addresses on that – Commenced by Waziri in 2009 .

18. 6 (six) Ghanaians (Charged for Oil Bunkering) Fed. High Court, Benin. Arraigned on state counts and trial Commenced. Prosecution closed case, matter adjourned to Nov 4 & 5 for defence to close. N250 Million. Granted bail by court in 2009. – Commenced by Waziri in 2009 .

19 Patrick Fernadez (Indian Businessman) Fed. High Court, Lagos. Arraigned on 56 state counts. Plea already taken and trial commences Nov 2009. N32 Billion. Granted bail by court in 2009 – Commenced by Waziri in June 2009 .

20. Prof. Babalola Borishade (Former Minister of Aviation) FCT High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on 11 state counts. Plea already taken and trial on-going (N5.6 billion) Prosecution witnesses under cross-examination. Nov.17 fixed for continuation. N5.6 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Commenced by Waziri in June 2008.

21. Boni Haruna (Former Governor, Adamawa State) Fed. High Court, Maitama. Arraigned on amended 28 state counts. Plea taken. Adoption of motion slated for Nov. N254 Million. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Commenced by Waziri in 2008 .

22. Femi Fani-Kayode (Former Minster of Aviation) Fed. High Court, Lagos. Arraigned on 47 state counts . Plea taken but case stalled as a result of trial court’s refusal to admit e-print of suspect’s statement of account as evidence. EFCC on appeal against the decision. Matter pending at appeal court. N250 Million. Granted bail by court in 2008 – Commenced by Waziri in 2008 .

23. Prince Ibrahim Dumuje (Police Equipment Fund) FCT High Court, Abuja. Arraigned on 28 amended state counts. Plea taken and trial on-going. Prosecution witnesses under cross-examination. Continuation fixed for Nov 9. N7,740 Billion granted bail by court since 2008 . Commenced by Waziri in June 2008 .

24. Bode George (Chieftain of the ruling party, PDP) Fed. High Court, Lagos. Arraigned on 68 state counts. Plea taken and trial concluded. Judgement being awaited. N100 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Commenced by Waziri in Dec.08 .CONVINCTED AND IMPRISONED.

25. Rasheed Ladoja (Former Governor of Oyo State) Fed. High Court, Lagos Arraigned on 33 state counts. Plea taken and trial on-going. Prosecution witnesses slated for cross-examination in 9 Nov 2009. N6 Billion. Granted bail by court since 2008 – Commenced by Waziri .

26. Four Snr Zenith Bank Managers Fed. High Court, Port Harcourt. Arraigned on 56 state counts. Plea taken but case stalled over an injunction by Rivers State Govt, which is a party in the case to stop EFCC. Injunction being challenged at appeal court. N3.6 Billion. Granted bail by court in 2009 – Commenced by Waziri .

27. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai (Former Minister of Federal Capital Territory) Fed. High Court, Abuja. Arraigned on 8 state counts. Suspect charged for corruption and abuse of office. Plea not taken because suspect has refused to put in appearance and papers for extradition filed. Suspect at large – Commenced by Waziri .

28. Sen. Nicholas Ugbade, (Serving Senator) Hon. Ndudi Elumelu,Hon. Mohammed Jibo,Hon. Paulinus Igwe,(Serving Members of House of Representatives) Dr Aliyu Abdullahi (Serving Fed.Perm.Sec) Mr. Samuel Ibi.Mr. Simon Nanle,Mr. Lawrence Orekoya,Mr Kayode Oyedeji,Mr. A. Garba Jahun, (This is the Rural Electrification Agency Case involving a serving Senator, 3 serving members of the House of Representatives, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power and other high profile public officers) FCT High Court, Abuja. Arraigned on 158 state counts. Plea taken while prosecution has filed more charges against suspects. Matter stalled due to medical treatment of Hon.Igwe who was shot by robbers. Oct 29 slated for taking of plea on fresh charges. N5.2 Billion. Remanded in Prison Custody and later granted bail. Court in 2009 – Commenced by Waziri in May 2009 .

29. Prof B. Sokan,Molkat Mutfwang,Michael Aule ,Andrew Ekpanobi, (All Directors) Alexander Cozman (MD,Intermarket Ltd).(This is the UBEC case where high profile public servants connived with an American, Alexander Cozman to defraud the Government). Federal High Court, Abuja Arraigned on 64 state counts. Plea taken while more charges were filed against suspects due to appearance of Prof Sokan.Matter adjourned to Nov 9 for suspects to take plea on amended charges. N636 Million. Suspects remanded in prison custody and later granted bail by court in 2009. Commenced by Waziri on May 19 2009 .

30. Dr Ransome OwanMr. Abdulrahman Ado, Mr. Adulrasak Alimi,Mr. Onwuamaeze Iloeje, Mrs Grace Eyoma,Mr. Mohammed Bunu,Mr. Abimbola Odubiyi (This is the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission case where the Chairman and his 6 Commissioners corruptly enriched themselves) Federal High Court, Abuja. Arraigned on 196 state counts. Plea taken. Trial billed to commence while more charges were filed against suspects. Further hearing slated for Oct 29 N1.5 Billion. Granted bail by court in 2009 – Commenced by Waziri on April 22 2009 .

31. Tom Iseghohi, Muhammed Buba, Mike Okoli, (GM&Managers of Transcorp Group PLC) Fed. High Court, Abuja. Arraigned on 32 state counts. Plea taken. Matter adjourned for commencement of trial Nov 9. N15 Billion. Suspects Remanded in Kuje Prison and later granted bail by court in 2009 – Commenced by Waziri in May 2009 .

32. Dr Albert Ikomi, Rtd Perm Sec, his firm, Satellite Town Dev Co Ltd. Fed. High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos. Arraigned on 4 state counts. Plea taken and Matter adjourned for hearing. N43 Million Suspects Remanded in Ikoyi Prison and later granted bail by court in 2009 – Commenced by Waziri in 2009 .

33 Dr Yuguda Manu Kaigama, Chairman, Taraba State Civil Service Commission. Taraba State High Court 5, Jalingo. Arraigned on 37 state counts . Plea taken and matter adjourned for trial. N17 Million. Suspect remanded in prison custody. Co-accused, Yakubu Danjuma Takun, at large. Commenced by Waziri on Oct.10 2009 .

34 Chief Joe Musa, DG National Gallery of Art, Olusegun Ogumba, Chinedu Obi, Oparagu Elizabeth, (All Directors of NGA). FCT High Court, Lugbe(Justice Olukayode Adeniyi) Arraigned on 12 state counts . Plea taken and defence lawyer filed applications to stall trial but lost the bid. Matter adjourned for trial Nov 19/20. N1.012 Billion. Suspects remanded in Kuje Prison and later granted bail by court in 2009 . Commenced by Waziri in July 20 2009 .

35 Dr Dayo Olagunju, Ex.Sec.National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult & Non-Formal Education. Joshua Alao, Alice Abang, Jibrin Waguna, Ahmed Abubakar, Shehu Abdullahi, Dr Victoria King-Nwachukwu, Adamu Khalid, Moses Oseni, Francis Awelewa & Bashir Suleiman Fed. High Court, Abuja. Justice Anuli Chikere Arraigned on 17 state counts. Plea taken and Matter adjourned for commencement of trial Oct 22. N479 Million. Suspects remanded in Kuje Prison and later granted bail by court in 2009. Commenced by Waziri 24 July 2009 .

36 Hamman Bello Hammed, Ex-CG Customs, Hannatu Sulaiman, Tajudeen Olalere, Lukman Hussain, Popular Foods Ltd & Silver Maritime Shipping Coy Ltd. Federal High Court , Lagos. Justice Ramat Mohammed. Arraigned on 46 state counts. Plea taken Matter adjourned to Nov for trial. N2.5 Billion. Suspects remanded in Kirikiri & Ikoyi Prisons and later granted bail by court in 2009. Commenced by Waziri on 14thAug. 2009 .

37 Professor Innocent Chuka Okonkwo, fmr VC Imo State Univ, Uchechi Nwugo & Wilfred Uwakwe Fed. High Court, Abuja. Justice Mohammed Garba Umar. Arraigned on 14 state counts. Plea taken. Adjourned to Nov for trial. N145 Million. Suspects remanded in Kuje Prison and later granted bail by court in 2009 – Commenced by Waziri on July 30,2009 .

38 Dr (Mrs) Cecilia Ibru (Fmr CEO,Oceanic Bank PLC) FHC, Ikoyi, Lagos. Justice Dan Abutu Arraigned on 25 state counts. Plea taken and case adjourned to Nov for trial N160.2 Billion Suspect remanded in EFCC custody, but granted bail on 14/9/09 – Commenced by Waziri on Aug31 2009.

39 Dr Bartholomew (Fmr CEO,Union Bank PLC) Bassey Ebong, Henry Onyemem & Niyi Albert Opeodu (Ex-Directors, UBN) FHC, Ikoyi, Lagos. Justice Dan Abutu Arraigned on 28 state counts. Plea taken and case adjourned to Nov for trial. N187.1 Billion. Suspects remanded in EFCC custody, but granted bail on 14/9/09 – Commenced by Waziri on Aug31 2009 .

40 Raymond Obieri, (Fmr Chairman, Intercontinental Bank PLC) Hyacinth Enuha, Ikechi Kalu, C.A Alabi, Samuel Adegbite, Isyaku Umar, Sanni Adams. FHC, Ikoyi, Lagos. Justice Dan Abutu Arraigned on 18 state counts. Plea taken and case adjourned to Nov for trial. N131.8 Billion. Suspects remanded in EFCC custody, but granted bail on 14/9/09 .Commenced by Waziri on Aug31 2009 .

41 Sebastian Adigwe, Peter Ololo, Falcon Securities Ltd. FHC, Ikoyi, Lagos.Justice Dan Abutu Arraigned on 36 state counts. Plea taken and case adjourned to Nov for trial. N277.3 Billion. Suspects remanded in Prison custody, but granted bail on 15/9/09 – Commenced by Waziri on Aug31 2009 .

42 Okey Nwosu, FHC, Ikoyi, Lagos. Justice Dan Abutu. Arraigned on 11 state counts. Plea taken and case adjourned to Nov for trial. N95.1 Billion. Suspects remanded in Prison custody, but granted bail on 15/9/09 – Commenced by Waziri on Aug 31 2009 .

43 Alex Nkenchor, Ex-Bank Manager, Ebi Odeigah & GMT Securities & Assets Nig Ltd. Lagos High Court, Ikeja. Justice M.O Obadina Arraigned on 10 state counts. Plea taken and suspects still remanded in prison custody pending consideration of bail application. N860 Million. Suspects remanded in ikoyi prison. Bail application for consideration Oct 20 – Commenced by Waziri on Oct 13

SOURCE: efccnigeria.org