A Federal High
Court Sitting in Lagos has granted bail to Abdullahi Babalele, a son-in-law to
the former Vice- President and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential
Candidate in the 2019 general election, Atiku Abubakar. Bail.
Babalele was granted bail in the sum of N20
million. His bail is with one surety in like sum. The surety must be resident
in Lagos. The judge also granted N20 million bail each to Atiku’s lawyer, Uyiekpen
Giwa-Osagie, and his brother, Erhunse, with one surety in like sum.
The judge
held that the sureties must reside in Lagos and must also have landed property
in the state. While both defendants have just 14 days to perfect their bail
conditions, the judge adjourned the cases to October 8 for trial.
Recall that
Justice Nicholas Oweibo had, Wednesday,
ordered that Abdullahi Babalele, be remanded in Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC’s custody.
Abdullahi
Babalele, who was charged with two counts, was remanded till Thursday when his
bail application was heard.
The EFCC,
had, Wednesday, arraigned Abdullahi Babalele on two counts bordering on alleged
money laundering. When the two counts were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.
According to
the charge signed on behalf of the EFCC by its prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo,
Babalele committed the offence in February, 2019.
Abdullahi
Babalele according to the EFCC had on or about the 20th day of February,2019 in
Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, aided Bashir Mohammed
to make cash payment of the sum of $140,000. 00 (One Hundred and Forty Thousand
United State Dollars) without going through financial institution, which sum
exceeded the amount authorized by Law.
