The Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja has granted former chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Bello Haliru Mohammed and his son, Bello Abba Mohammed bail with stringent conditions.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed, in his ruling Thursday, granted the accused persons bail on a bond of N300 million each and two sureties.
Mohammed granted the bail after having considered the argument present by both the defence and the prosecuting counsel.
“This ruling is rested on the bail applications brought to this court by the first and third defendants. The issue to be determined is whether the applicants have tendered sufficient evidences to support their bail applications,” he said.
Quoting the constitution and section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) Act 2015, the judge noted that bail can only be denied in a situation where “the applicant if granted bail, will commit another offence, jump bail and/ or interfere with ongoing investigation”.
Justice however noted that in this instance, both defendants have met the conditions under which their bail applications was granted.
He said : “The first defendant (Abba Mohammed), is the presumed innocent until proven guilty. Also the third defendant (Haliru Mohammed) is presumed innocent until proven guilty; he is bed ridden and currently receiving medical treatment at Abuja Clinic Maitama.
“I have carefully read the affidavit in regard to the first and third defendants, as well as the counter-affidavits by the prosecuting counsel. The offences are bailable and for the first defendant, he is suffering from chronic asthma. The third defendant is suffering from the spinal injury which he is receiving treatment in London. All medical records are verifiable.”
Based on the above, the trial judge granted the first defendant (Abba), under the condition that he is to provide a bond of N300 million, two sureties – one of whom must be a civil servant not below grade level 12 and the other must own a landed property with Abuja on like some of the bond.
Justice Mohammed also directed Abba to deposit his travelling documents, and international passport with the court and his sureties will submit an affidavit of means and their passport photographs to the court.
He further directed the first defendant to be remanded in the Kuje prison pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
Justice Mohammed also granted the third defendant (Haliru Mohammed) bail on the condition that he provide a bail bond of N300 million, two sureties – one a director in the civil service and the other a land owner within Abuja.
“The land must be valued at N300 million and the documents of the land will be deposited at the court till the end of the trial. The sureties will also deposit their passport photographs to the court and an affidavit of means,” he ruled.
He directed Haliru who for the second time was brought to the court in a wheelchair, to deposit his travel passport to the court.
The judge also ordered that he remains under the supervision of the inspector general of police while on admission at the Abuja clinics as earlier ordered until the conditions are met.
Justice Mohammed further adjourned the case to Tuesday, February 16 for definite hearing of the matter.
But speaking to journalists after the ruling, the Counsel to Haliru Mohammed, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, commended the Court’s decision to grant his client bail.
Ibrahim however noted that evens although the court’s conditions appeared to be stringent his client will do everything possible to meet the bail.
Haliru and his son Abba Bello are alleged to have aided the diversion of money received from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a four-count charge against them said the money, N300 million was received by Haliru, Abba and BAM Projects and Properties Limited on or about March 17, 2015.
Haliru, an ex-chairman of PDP and former minister of defense, for the second time has appeared before the court in a wheelchair.
His counsel on Tuesday, January 5 told the court that his client was discharged from a spinal surgery in United Kingdom and currently on admission at the Abuja Clinics in Maitama, Abuja. – Thisday.
