…SUIT AGAINST DEPOSIT OF MONEY BEFORE BAIL IS APPROVED

An Abuja federal High Court presided over by Hon. Justice Gabriel Kolawole will on Monday 24th April,2017 deliver Judgment in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/889/2015 filed by a Human Rights and Constitutional Lawyer, Dr.ACB Agbazuere against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and National Assembly of Nigeria.

Dr. Agbazuere through an Originating summons is asking the Federal High Court to declare that section 165(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which empowers the Courts to require the deposit of a sum of money as the court may specify from the defendant or his surety before bail is approved is inconsistent with Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to presumption of innocence until proved guilty.

Dr Agbazuere, a lawyer and Nigerian citizen who also resides in Abuja, is contending that the new Law by requiring Nigerians to deposit cash before bail is approved, implies that if you don’t deposit the money, your bail will not be approved and you will be sent to prison until you pay the money or you attend your trial from prison when you are yet to be tried and found guilty.

Dr Agbazuere, the Attorney General of the Federation and the National Assembly have all adopted their arguments and judgment through a hearing Notice has been fixed for Monday 24th April, 2017.

Source : Abia Breaking News