Niger ex-gov Babangida Aliyu gets N150m bail

Former governor of Niger State, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, was yesterday granted bail in the sum of N150 million by a Minna High Court presided by Justice Aliyu Maiyaki.

Aliyu, according to the bail conditions, was to also present two sureties with landed properties worth N200m.

Aliyu’s former Chief of Staff Umar Nasko was granted bail in the sum N100m and two sureties with landed properties worth N150m within the jurisdiction of the court.

The two were standing trial on a six-count charge bothering on alleged fraud and abuse of office.

Justice Maiyaki, while ruling on the bail application, said the accused persons were deemed innocent until proven otherwise.

He dismissed the objection by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to the bail request on the grounds that the accused persons could jump bail and interfere with the investigations, stressing that the duo have no criminal record.

The former governor met the bail conditions and was subsequently released to his relations. Elder brother to the former governor, Ibrahim Aliyu and former commissioner Peter Sarki were said to have signed as his sureties.

Hearing on the substantive case will begin next month and according to the judge, each of the charges is punishable with 7 years’ imprisonment on conviction.