How Nggilari was granted bail — Lawyer

Obed Wadzani, the counsel to convicted ex-governor of Adamawa State, James Bala Nggilari, has denied reports that his client secured bail based on a fraudulent letter from the prisons.

Nggilari was convicted and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by the Yola High Court 1.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust in Abuja, Wadzani said contrary to insinuations that the bail was based on “the so-called fraudulent letter from the prisons”, it was based on the application he filed, with the facts deposed to, together with the medical reports and the arguments presented in court by the lawyers.

“Bala James Nggilari filed his motion on notice on March 10 for bail pending before High Court 1 Yola. This motion was supported by affidavit deposed to by his wife and in this affidavit, the wife gave facts as to the health conditions of her husband, and attached medical records from different hospitals for a period of almost six years.

“The judge went through all these facts, and exercised his discretion. If they are not happy with the bail application, of course, they can appeal, that is the right thing for them to do in this circumstance,” he said.

On what led to the suspension of three prisons officers, he said: “I read in the papers that they were suspended; that they did not have the authority to write the letter.

“I will not speak for prison officials, but the fact is that this letter is still in court, so all those that are interested can go to court and apply and have a certified copy of the letter so that you will know whether it is a medical report as alleged or not.”